Mississippi Voters Approve Voter ID Proposal

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi voters on Tuesday approved a proposed constitutional amendment to require that voters present government-issued identification at the polls.

The issue has been debated at the Mississippi Legislature for 15 years. Republican Sen. Joey Fillingane of Sumrall with backing of the Mississippi GOP launched a petition drive that got the initiative on the ballot.

The amendment seeks to require every person voting in Mississippi to show a driver's license or other government-issued photo ID at the polls.

While supporters called it commonsense legislation, opponents said it could be viewed by black citizens as an attempt to diminish minority voting.