Mississippi Advisory Opinions January 19, 1989: AGO 000008590 (January 19, 1989)

AGO 000008590.

Dear Ms. Mercer:

Attorney General Mike Moore has received your letter requesting an opinion and has assigned it to me for research and reply.

In your letter, you ask whether the City of Gautier, which was incorporated in June 1986, will have to incorporate all voters from the County's Registration Book as per Senate Bill 2610, and whether each city will be notified of the effective date of Senate Bill 2610?

On November 29, 1988, Senate Bill 2610 received federal preclearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. On November 30, 1988, all county registrars and municipal clerks of the State were notified of the preclearance of this law and were advised of their responsibilities thereunder.

It is the opinion of this office that under Section 1 of Senate Bill 2610, which is now codified as Section 23-15-14, Miss. Code Ann. (Supp. 1988), the City of Gautier is required to incorporate from the county precinct poll books or equivalent computer data all persons who meet the following criteria:

a. Are properly registered qualified electors of the county;

b. Reside in the City of Gautier;

c. Are not already registered to vote in such municipality; and

d. Have resided in the City of Gautier for at least thirty (30) days.

It is hoped that the above is responsive to your inquiries.

Very truly yours,

MIKE MOORE, ATTORNEY GENERAL

By: Giles W. Bryant Special Assistant Attorney General

/jw