401 MISSISSIPPI STREET
POST OFFICE BOX 136
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39205-0136
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Contact: Pamela Weaver, Director of Communications
Survey finds over 98% of Voters have Photo ID
Secretary Hosemann discusses plans to implement Constitutional Voter ID Requirement
Jackson, Miss.- More than 98% of Mississippi voters who cast ballots in the General Election have one form of acceptable photo identification included in Mississippi’s constitutional Voter ID law, according to a survey conducted by
Edison Research. Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann announced the findings of what is believed to be the largest survey of Mississippi voters ever conducted.
“The survey helps us accurately gauge the number and profile of the voters we need to reach,” says Secretary Hosemann. “I am encouraged the survey found less than 1% of the voters did not have a photo ID. Less than 1% is a manageable
number for implementing constitutional voter ID. ”
On November 6, 2012, Edison personally surveyed almost 6,000 Mississippi voters as they exited 30 polling locations selected randomly across the state.
Survey results show 98.3% of those surveyed reported having at least one of the eight forms of photo ID. Only 0.8% of respondents reported having none of the eight forms of photo ID. 0.9% did not answer the question.
“Our Agency will focus on ensuring every voter who does not have an acceptable photo ID will be able to obtain one easily, free of charge,” adds Hosemann.
In addition to the Edison survey report, Secretary Hosemann released proposed administrative rules for the new Voter ID requirement. Under these rules, any voter who lacks an acceptable photo ID may obtain a free voter ID card from the
Circuit Clerk’s Office by presenting the same materials accepted to register to vote under the federal Help America Vote Act.
The Secretary of State’s Office has entered into an agreement with the Department of Vital Statistics to allow Circuit Clerk’s to verify birth records of voters who cannot provide these materials, at no cost to the voter. The Secretary
of State’s Office will also enter into an agreement with the Mississippi Department of Transportation to utilize existing transportation services to provide free transportation for voters who need a free voter ID card but lack transportation to the Circuit
Clerk’s Office.
Copies of the Edison Research Final Report and the Secretary of State’s proposed administrative rules are attached. Edison Research is a premier research company in the United States, and the sole provider
of exit poll information to the Associated Press, ABC News, CBS News, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN and USA Today.
12/12/12
Magnolia Tribune
