Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder asking the United States Department of Justice to give their opinion on Mississippi ’s recently voter identification ballot initiative. In November of 2011, Mississippi passed Initiative 27 which if made in to law would require Mississippi voters to present a government-issued photo ID in order to vote.
Thompson wrote, “It is unconscionable to think that creating a barrier, which has the potential of eliminating citizens from the voting process, is a fair and just plan for correcting the problems within this system.”
“It is deeply disturbing to see that the federal agencies designed to fight injustice would stand idly by and allow these repeated violations of the law to persist. The federal government should not remain silent on these issues that go to the heart of what our nation stands for.”
“Our constitution guarantees the right to cast a free and unfettered ballot and provisions within the Voting Rights Act were structured to preserve this right by preventing any state or municipality from infringing upon any person’s ability to vote.”
“The federal government should exert the effort necessary to correct these deviations from the law and protect the rights of the American people.”
[signoff]
