JACKSON, Miss. (AP, abc24.com) Mississippi voters on Tuesday approved a proposed constitutional amendment to require that voters present government-issued identification at the polls.
The issue has been debated at the Mississippi Legislature for 15 years. Republican Sen. Joey Fillingane of Sumrall with backing of the Mississippi GOP launched a petition drive that got the initiative on the ballot.
The amendment seeks to require every person voting in Mississippi to show a driver's license or other government-issued photo ID at the polls.
While supporters called it commonsense legislation, opponents said it could be viewed by black citizens as an attempt to diminish minority voting.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
