2012 General Election Report: High Voter Registration, High Turnout
Despite a high number of last minute voter registrations, the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office found counties statewide were well prepared for one of the highest levels of voter turnout in Mississippi history.
“The number of voters in this Presidential election closely mirrored the number of voters in the 2008 General Election,” says Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. “This Election Report gives the Legislature and the public insight into the electoral process in our State.”
Preparations for the over 1.2 million votes cast in the General Election are outlined in the 2012 General Election Day Activity Report. The report also details Election Day issues noted by our Agency and the forty observers sent to forty counties across the State.
Some of those issues include:
• Distributing and receiving ballots for emergency responders;
• Inappropriate voter assistance, “too many to count” in one instance;
• Campaigning too close to the polls;
• A failure of some counties to timely certify their elections; and,
• Lack of signage.
The Secretary of State is required by law to report on elections to the State Legislature, Governor, and public on Election Day issues. Violations are referred to the Attorney General and local District Attorneys.
“Every year, the Secretary of State’s Office makes recommendations to the State Legislature based on issues observed on Election Day,” adds Secretary Hosemann. “Through these recommendations, and through coordination with election officials across the State, our Agency hopes to curtail these problems and ensure fair elections.”
To review a copy of the 2012 Elections Report: http://sos.ms.gov/links/elections/2013/Report%20of%20Election%20Day%20Activities%202012%20Final.pdf
Magnolia Tribune
