Mississippi Advisory Opinions January 17, 2003: AGO 2003-0004 (January 17, 2003)

Advisory Opinion Text

The Honorable Martinna Means

Jackson County Election Commissioner

3537 Celeste Avenue

Moss Point, Mississippi 39563

Re: Election Commissioners' Compensation

Dear Ms. Means:

Attorney General Mike Moore has received your letter of request and assigned it to me for research and reply. Your letter states:

May the election commissioners receive compensation for assisting with redistricting, and from what fund? It was my understanding that we could only be paid for purging and election days and they being interchangeable. Please give election code or AG's opinion.

In response to your inquiry please see the enclosed copy of our opinion addressed to Honorable Joe W. Martin, Jr., dated May 31, 2002. In summary that opinion states that county election commissioners may be employed on a part-time basis by their board of supervisors to perform certain duties in connection with the redistricting process provided the board determines, consistent with the facts, that 1) the work involved is not required to be performed by the registrar or deputy registrar; and 2) the work is over and above the regular statutory duties of the election commissioners. Part-time county employees are paid out of the county's general fund.

Sincerely,

Mike Moore Attorney General

Phil Carter Special Assistant Attorney General