The bill was pushed by Secretary Michael Watson and passed earlier this week by two Senate committees. It would allow state election officials access to federal and state databases, including the FBI and ICE, to determine if registered voters may be flagged as non-citizens. Individuals under scrutiny who fail to prove their citizenship within 30 calendar days will be removed from the voter rolls. Watson stated Tuesday to senators that he believes there are “actual registered voters here illegally”, but could not provide details when asked by committee members. Hosemann, who has served three terms in the capacity of secretary of state, stated that Watson’s suggestion was “virtually impossible.” Hosemann said that the last thing anyone who has been illegally here wants to do is be around policemen, precincts, or any other type of personnel. You can see why they avoid these things like the plague. Hosemann also stated that he was secretary of state and led the push to pass and then implement a voter identification law in Mississippi in 2011. Voter ID supporters argued that requiring voters to show government-issued ID at their ballot box would reduce fraud, even though voter impersonation happens very rarely. Watson highlighted “illegal” voting forms during his 2019 campaign to become secretary of state. His campaign website stated that he suggested that Mississippi conduct background checks when people register to vote. Watson’s bill doesn’t specify what evidence would be used to show that a voter is not a citizen. It also does not explain how election officials would notify suspected non-citizens they must prove their citizenship within 30 days. Also, the bill states that drivers licenses will not be accepted as proof of citizenship. Voters would need to present a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization document in order to prove their citizenship. On Tuesday, opponents of the bill claimed that the cost and timing of obtaining these two forms of identification could make it difficult for U.S. citizens to meet the 30-day threshold to prove their citizenship. On Tuesday, Sen. David Blount (D-Jackson), a former assistant secretary, stated that “this is the worst election law I’ve ever seen.” It’s un-American, radical, and dangerous. “Thousands to thousands of Mississippians will lose the right to vote and their ability to vote over this bill,” said a federal judge. Many of the citizenship laws that were passed in other states were quickly challenged and rejected by the courts. Similar laws have been criticized by federal authorities in states like Texas and Florida. Similar laws have been passed in Tennessee, Arizona, Georgia and Kansas. Hosemann stated to reporters that he was against creating more litigation. “I don’t have the budget to create federal lawsuits.” “I have already got corrections (Department of Human Services) and mental health that we’re paying either an outside counsel or the attorney general. We would like to reduce the amount of litigation.”