MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Apportionment and Elections

By: Representative Hudson

House Bill 1599

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ELECTORS TO PRESENT PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION AND A TAX RECEIPT OR OTHER SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF PAYMENT OF AD VALOREM TAXES BEFORE HE IS ALLOWED TO VOTE IN CERTAIN BOND ISSUE ELECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 19-9-15, 21-33-309 AND 37-59-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Every person who votes at an election on the issuance of county general obligation bonds under Chapter 9, Title 19, Mississippi Code of 1972, municipal general obligation bonds under Chapter 33, Title 21, Mississippi Code of 1972, or school district bonds under Chapter 59, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall present to the election managers, before he will be allowed to vote, personal identification and a tax receipt or other sufficient evidence indicating he has paid all ad valorem taxes on any real property that he owns in the county or municipality and on all motor vehicles registered in his name in the county.

SECTION 2. Section 19-9-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

19-9-15. Such election shall be held, as far as is practicable, in the same manner as other elections are held in counties. At such election, all qualified electors of such county may vote; however, each qualified elector shall present personal identification and tax receipt or other sufficient evidence of payment of ad valorem taxes before he will be allowed to vote. The ballots used at such election shall have printed thereon a brief statement of the amount and purpose of the proposed bond issue and the words "FOR THE BOND ISSUE" and "AGAINST THE BOND ISSUE," and the voter shall vote by placing a cross (X) or check mark (U) opposite his choice on the proposition.

SECTION 3. Section 21-33-309, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

21-33-309. The election provided for by Section 21-33-307 shall be held, as far as is practicable, in the same manner as other elections are held in municipalities. At such election, all qualified electors of such municipality may vote; however, each qualified elector shall present personal identification and tax receipt or other sufficient evidence of payment of ad valorem taxes before he will be allowed to vote. The ballots used at such election shall have printed thereon a brief statement of the amount and purpose of the proposed bond issue and the words "FOR THE BOND ISSUE" and "AGAINST THE BOND ISSUE," and the voter shall vote by placing a cross (X) or check mark (U) opposite his choice on the proposition.

SECTION 4. Section 37-59-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-59-15. Such election shall be held upon order of the school board, as far as is practicable, in the same manner as other elections are held in such county or municipality. At such election, all qualified electors of such school district may vote; however, each qualified elector shall present personal identification and tax receipt or other sufficient evidence of payment of ad valorem taxes before he will be allowed to vote. The ballots used at such election shall have printed thereon a brief statement of the amount and the purpose of the proposed bond issue, and the words "FOR THE BOND ISSUE," and "AGAINST THE BOND ISSUE." The voter shall vote by placing a cross (X) or check mark (U) opposite his choice on the proposition.

SECTION 5. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.