Mississippi Advisory Opinions August 25, 2000: AGO 000013932 (August 25, 2000)
Collection: Mississippi Attorney General Opinions
Docket: AGO 000013932
Date: Aug. 25, 2000
Advisory Opinion Text
AGO 000013932.
DOCK 2000-0473
AUTH Phil Carter
DATE 20000825
RQNM Jackie Exum-Petty
SUBJ Elections - Qualifications to Vote
SBCD 72
TEXT Ms. Jackie Exum-Petty
Municipal Registrar
City of Columbus
Post Office Box 1408
Columbus, Mississippi 39703
Dear Ms. Exum-Petty:
Attorney General Mike Moore has received your letter of request and assigned it to me for research and reply. Your letter states:
"This is a request for an official opinion on what specific criminal convictions should the Election Commissioners abide by in removing registered voters from the voting rolls in the State of Mississippi. Further, please advise how an individual can restore voting privileges.
Would you also advise whether drug possession and/or the intent to sell convictions would constitute removal from the voter rolls."
In response to your first question, please see the enclosed copy of our recent opinion addressed to Leslie Scott, Esquire, dated August 18, 2000. That opinion lists the specific criminal convictions that disqualifies individuals from voting.
In response to your second question, the most common way to have one's suffrage restored is by an act of the Mississippi Legislature. Also, Mississippi Code Annotated, Section 47-7-41 (Revised 1999) authorizes the Governor, under certain conditions, to restore suffrage by executive order.
In response to your third question, convictions of the crimes of illegal drug possession and/or intent to sell drugs are not disenfranchising.
Sincerely,
MIKE MOORE
ATTORNEY GENERAL
By: Phil Carter
Special Assistant Attorney General
/pc