Voter ID Amendment Faces Fed Scrutiny

Voter ID Amendment Faces Fed Scrutiny (Added: December 26, 2011)

62% of voters approved the initiative on Nov. 8. (more)

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By: Associated Press | WJTV
Published: December 26, 2011

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JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi officials are confident the state's new voter ID constitutional amendment will pass muster despite the Justice Department's rejection of South Carolina's law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls.

Under the federal 1965 Voting Rights Act, both states must seek preclearance from federal officials before making changes to election procedures because of their history of discrimination against black voters.

Sixty-two percent of Mississippi voters approved the voter ID initiative on Nov. 8.

Opponents including the Mississippi NAACP and the ACLU have said they will ask the Justice Department to reject it.

If the federal government rejects a state's submission, the state can file in federal court in Washington to seek approval.