/Secretary of State says existing law allows mail-in voting expansion during coronavirus pandemic Is that enough

Secretary of State says existing law allows mail-in voting expansion during coronavirus pandemic Is that enough

Mississippi is one six states that have not yet taken measures to allow mail voting. On Wednesday, the Senate Elections and House committees held a joint hearing to discuss voting issues in November. Watson stated that it should be up the local circuit clerks of each county to decide whether someone can vote early. This provision in law allows people with temporary disabilities to vote in person or by mail. Watson, the chief elections officer of the state, stated that he opposes a blanket extension of vote by mail. However, he said he supports an expansion to allow voters to vote in person at local courtshouses. Watson said that even if someone was seen in a Walmart or sporting goods store, there was no reason to believe they would be afraid to vote on Election Day. Watson stated that “I believe our circuit clerks can figure it out” when Watson was asked about which residents should receive an absentee mail-in ballot. Current Mississippi law allows those 65 years and older, as well as disabled residents, to vote early if they are away from their homes on Election Day. Watson explained that he believes the state law is only applicable to people with pre-existing conditions. D-Jackson Rep. Zakiya Sommers said that she doesn’t believe that the existing temporary disability provision will provide enough protection for voters in November. This is especially true if the law was left up to the counties to interpret. She stated that it should be identical in all counties without any confusion and that the Legislature should take steps so people can vote without needing to visit a crowded precinct. The expansion of the disability provision would be much less than the COVID-19 pandemic. For the Georgia primary, mail-in ballot applications were sent out to all registered voters. An online application was also available. Watson stated that early voting by mail was not something he liked. Watson warned that fraud could result from the practice, particularly since voter rolls in many Mississippi counties are not purged of deceased or relocated voters. However, national studies have not found any examples of fraud, particularly in the Republican Party. Summers stated Wednesday that absentee voting can be “complicated” under the current law. Senator David Blount (D-Jackson) agreed and stated that he hopes to simplify the absentee voting process. A person must request a ballot by submitting a notarized request. A completed ballot must be notarized. There are also strict guidelines regarding how signatures should appear on the envelope. Blount stated that efforts to make voting easier this November are making progress. Leroy Lacy, Madison County election commissioner, is chair of the state Election Commissioners Association. He said that counties will need assistance in acquiring personal protection equipment and to hire more poll workers to assist with issues like curbside voting, social distancing and sanitation. Federal money is available to assist with these issues. Watson stated that his office was awarded $4.7 million by the federal government to address election problems related to coronavirus. Watson said that his office received $4.7 million in federal funds to deal with election issues related to the coronavirus.