Signed by Governor Phil Bryant

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that requires voters to present photo identification prior to voting.

Highlights:

• Requires voters to present a valid form of photo identification to an election manager or registrar prior to voting (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any of the following are valid forms of photo identification for voting purposes (Sec. 1):
• A Mississippi state driver’s license;
• An identification card issued by a branch, department, agency, or other entity of the state of Mississippi;
• A U.S. passport;
• An employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter issued by any branch, department, agency, or other entity of the federal government or the state of Mississippi;
• A Mississippi license to carry a pistol or revolver;
• A tribal identification card containing a photograph of the voter;
• A U.S. military card;
• A student identification card containing a photograph of the voter issued by an accredited institution of the state of Mississippi; or
• A Mississippi voter identification card.

• Authorizes a person who does not have a valid form of identification or has a religious objection to being photographed to cast an affidavit ballot (Sec. 1).

• Requires any voter that submits an affidavit ballot to submit a valid form of photo identification to the registrar, or affirm their religious convictions to the registrar, within 5 days of casting the affidavit ballot in order for the individual's vote to be counted (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits any state agency from charging a fee for a voter identification card, and specifies that any costs associated with voter identification cards shall be paid for out of the General Fund (Sec. 2).

• Requires an applicant for a voter identification card to present any of the following forms of identification to the registrar (Sec. 2):
• A photo identity document;
• Documentation showing the person’s date and place of birth;
• A social security card;
• A Medicare card;
• A Medicaid card; or
• Evidence of the applicant’s residence in his or her respective county.

• Specifies that a voter identification card is valid as long as the cardholder remains at his or her same place of residency (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires voters to present photo identification prior to voting.

Highlights:

• Requires voters to present a valid form of photo identification to an election manager or registrar prior to voting (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any of the following are valid forms of photo identification for voting purposes (Sec. 1):
• A Mississippi state driver’s license;
• An identification card issued by a branch, department, agency, or other entity of the state of Mississippi;
• A U.S. passport;
• An employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter issued by any branch, department, agency, or other entity of the federal government or the state of Mississippi;
• A Mississippi license to carry a pistol or revolver;
• A tribal identification card containing a photograph of the voter;
• A U.S. military card;
• A student identification card containing a photograph of the voter issued by an accredited institution of the state of Mississippi; or
• A Mississippi voter identification card.

• Authorizes a person who does not have a valid form of identification or has a religious objection to being photographed to cast an affidavit ballot (Sec. 1).

• Requires any voter that submits an affidavit ballot to submit a valid form of photo identification to the registrar, or affirm their religious convictions to the registrar, within 5 days of casting the affidavit ballot in order for the individual's vote to be counted (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits any state agency from charging a fee for a voter identification card, and specifies that any costs associated with voter identification cards shall be paid for out of the General Fund (Sec. 2).

• Requires an applicant for a voter identification card to present any of the following forms of identification to the registrar (Sec. 2):
• A photo identity document;
• Documentation showing the person’s date and place of birth;
• A social security card;
• A Medicare card;
• A Medicaid card; or
• Evidence of the applicant’s residence in his or her respective county.

• Specifies that a voter identification card is valid as long as the cardholder remains at his or her same place of residency (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text