Guest Editorial from SOS Delbert Hosemann on voting in the 2011 election - Y'All Politics

http://yallpolitics.com/index.php/yp/post/30573/

On November 8, 2011, Mississippians will elect statewide, legislative and some county offices. Voters also will decide three constitutional initiatives: Personhood, Voter ID, and Eminent Domain. This is the first time in our history Mississippi has ever had three constitutional initiatives on the ballot. Only two have ever made it to a statewide vote prior to this year—both addressed term limits and both failed.

The three initiatives on the General Election ballot address some of our most fundamental rights: the right to life, the right to vote, and the right to private property. Mississippians will vote yes or no to the following questions:

• Should the term “person” be defined to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or equivalent thereof?
• Should the Mississippi Constitution be amended to require a person to submit government issued photo identification in order to vote?
• Should government be prohibited from taking private property by eminent domain and then transferring it to other persons?

It is imperative Mississippians educate themselves on not only their candidates, but also these initiatives prior to the election. State law requires the Secretary of State’s Office to hold five public hearings across the State to educate voters on the three initiatives. Our Agency held nine in areas geographically dispersed across the State. These hearings were conducted as an open forum, where both sides were allowed to address each issue and refute any claims or preconceived notions regarding the three topics. We heard heartfelt, educated, and well-researched discussions from Mississippians passionate about these issues. All comments from each of the nine hearings were transcribed and placed on our website at http://www.sos.ms.gov/elections/initiatives. I encourage you to read these discussions prior to the election.

For an initiative to pass, it not only must receive a majority of votes cast (fifty percent, plus one), it must also receive 40% of total votes cast. Mississippians will vote on these issues last on the General Election, so I encourage you to vote all the way to the end of the ballot. These initiatives need to be determined on their merit, and not a technicality.

Do not let someone else decide these issues for you. Educate yourself prior to the election and cast your ballot on November 8th. An informed voter is an empowered voter. Our soldiers risk their lives every day so you can cast a ballot. Honor them with your vote.

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann
11/1/11