Mississippi Advisory Opinions June 21, 1983: 19830621 (June 21, 1983)

Advisory Opinion Text

Mrs. Ruth Dixon

Circuit Clerk of Amite County

Post Office Box 312

Liberty, Mississippi 39645

Dear Mrs. Dixon:

Attorney General Bill Allain has received your opinion request and has assigned it to me for research and reply, your letter of request stating in substance:

“I have been requested by several persons to have the Office of the Registrar open one Saturday morning prior to July 1st for registration of voters.

“Section 23-5-29 provided that 'The registrar shall keep his books open at his office and shall register the electors of his county at any time.'

“Section 25-1-99 provides 'The offices of all circuit and chancery clerks and sheriffs shall be open for business on all business days from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except that within the discretion of the board of supervisors of said county, the above county offices may be closed at 12:00 noon one (1) business day of each week, or may be closed all day Saturday of each week...' The Board of Supervisors of our county elected to be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on Saturdays.

“Section 23-9-431 provides that 'All registrars' offices shall remain open until noon on the two (2) Saturdays prior to each election.' for absentee voting.

“I would appreciate an opinion advising me if the Office of the Registrar can legally be open for Voter Registration on either June 18th or June 25th, from 8:00 a.m. until noon? I do not mind opening the office on Saturday mornings for this purpose, but I want to do so legally. I need an answer by Thursday, June 16th.”

The opening of your office on Saturdays is not mandatory but is permissive on the part of the Board of Supervisors and you as registrar and is, therefore, authorized.

Yours very truly,

Bill Allain, Attorney General