Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires individuals to present specific forms of photo identification in order to vote in person at a polling place or registrar's office, unless a first-time voter does not possess such identification, at which point the individual may present a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, or vote by affidavit ballot, which shall be counted following an examination to determine if the individual is a qualified voter.

Highlights:

-Specifies the following as proper forms of photo identification to vote (Sec. 1):

-Mississippi driver's license; -Mississippi voter identification card; -U.S. passport; -Employee identification card that contains a photograph and is issued by the federal government, state of Mississippi, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of the state; -U.S. military identification card; and -Tribal identification card containing a photograph.

-Requires the registrar of each county to provide at least one place in the county where individuals may apply for and receive a Mississippi voter identification card if they do not have a valid, unexpired Mississippi drivers license, which contains a color photograph of the individual and the following information (Sec. 2):

-Full legal name; -Residence address; -Date of birth; -Sex; -Height; -Weight; -Eye Color; -Date of issuance; and -County.

-Requires individuals seeking to obtain a Mississippi voter identification card to present the following (Sec. 2):

-Photo identity document or an identity document that contains the individual's full legal name and date of birth; -Documentation showing the individual's date of birth; -Evidence that the individual is registered to vote in the county; and -Documentation showing the individual's name and address of principal residence.

-Specifies that there shall be no fee charged or collected for the application for a Mississippi voter identification card (Sec. 2). -Specifies that any individual who uses the provisions of this Act to intimidate a voter or prevent an individual from voting who is otherwise qualified to vote shall be sentence to a term of imprisonment of one to five years, ordered to pay a fine of not less than $5,000, or both (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text