RELEASE:
Unusually High Absentee Voting Activity Reported
Jackson—A statewide comparison of absentee ballots cast thus far in the Primary Election shows several counties have a high number of absentee ballots requested.
“High absentee ballots are always cause for concern with our Agency,” says Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. “Now that Mississippi has passed Voter ID, absentee balloting has the highest potential for fraud in our State.”
Percentages are based on the total number of eligible voters to the total number of requested absentee ballots. On average, the percentage of absentee ballots cast in an election is 5-6%.
Counties whose requested absentee ballots are higher than 5%:
· Noxubee 13.66%
· Quitman 10.77%
· Claiborne 7.73%
· Tallahatchie 7.20%
· Benton 5.8%
Washington County (0.20%) and Jackson County (0.22%) have the lowest percentage of absentee ballots requested.
“More and more people are stating they will be ‘out of the county’ on Election Day to cast an absentee ballot,” adds Secretary Hosemann. “Absentee balloting has become early voting in Mississippi. As we have on prior occasions, we have requested some Circuit Clerks provide copies of all absentee ballots following the Primary Election.”
In-person absentee balloting at the Circuit Clerk’s Office ends this Saturday (August 1, 2015) at 12:00 pm. Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by the Circuit Clerk’s Office no later than 5:00 pm, Monday, August 3, 2015.
For a complete list of who is eligible to cast an absentee ballot on Election Day, please review our County Election Handbook available at www.sos.ms.gov.
7/28/15
Magnolia Tribune
