Mississippi Advisory Opinions November 03, 1987: 19871103 (November 03, 1987)

Advisory Opinion Text

Honorable Willie L. Crawford, Jr.

Tunica County Circuit Clerk

Post Office Box 184

Tunica, Mississippi 38676

Dear Mr. Crawford:

Attorney General Edwin Lloyd Pittman has received your letter of request and has assigned it to me for research and reply. In your letter you ask:

In complying with Section 23-15-159(b), would it be possible to use newspaper advertisements as notification of the electors listed?

In answer to your question, Miss.Code Ann. § 23-15-159(2)(b) (Supp.1987) reads as follows:

Within sixty (60) days after such suspension, the commissioners of election shall mail notice by first class mail to each elector whose registration is suspended, at his last-known address, stating substantially as follows: “You are hereby notified that, according to state law, your registration as a qualified elector will be canceled for having failed to vote within the past four (4) successive years, unless within thirty (30) days of the date this notice is postmarked, you continue your registration by applying in writing to the commissioners of election.” The commissioners shall furnish each elector so notified with the name and address of the commissioners of elections printed on the face thereof which may be used by the elector in notifying the commissioners of elections of the elector's desire to continue the elector's registration.

The commissioners shall affix sufficient postage to such return card so as to insure proper delivery to the commissioners.

It is the opinion of this office that a newspaper advertisement would be insufficient to meet the notice requirements of this section.

Should you have any questions or if we may be further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact this office.

Sincerely,

Edwin Lloyd Pittman, Attorney General.

John H. Emfinger, Special Assistant Attorney General.