Tag Archives: vote

Opinion

Finally…VOTE.

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It’s here.  Primary Election day 2014.

Now is your chance to vote. If Republican you can vote for the following;

Republican Primary Candidates

If Democrat, as follows;

Democratic Primary Candidates

If you are Libertarian, Constitutionalist, Federalist, Independent, well, then you can click either link above so long as it’s Republican or Democrat.

So go vote, and let’s hope the General election in November is long enough removed from Picture-gate, mud-slinging and finger-pointing that we don’t have to hear about it ever again…not a chance.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

General Legal, Opinion

Madison Chancery Clerk Race Heating Up

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On June 3 Madison Countians will elect a new Chancery Clerk.

Vote June 3

 

 

 

 

The Chancery Clerk acts as the county auditor, treasurer and assists the Board of Supervisors. The Chancery Clerk’s duties also include Clerk of the Chancery Court and Custodian of Public Land Records.  The Clerk is ultimately responsible for the filing of Court pleadings and land records and it is a big job.  It also includes testifying in Court on occasion and being financially accountable to the County, litigants and the Court.

The scuttlebutt is that someone in the clerk’s office ran a number of background checks on Ronny Lott.  This is newsworthy because candidate Irby Ford is currently employed by Madison County and works in the assessors office.  Ford denied being responsible or knowing about the searches, which was apparently true.  No searches were conducted regarding Ford or Overby.

Three candidates are vying for the position.

David Overby

  • Currently serves as a committee member on the Metropolitan Planning Organization
  • Member of the Government Finance Officers Association
  • Served 12 years as the City Clerk in Ridgeland
  • Served as County Administrator in Madison
  • Recently appointed Finance Manager at the City of Canton
  • Worked in public accounting for 20 years auditing business and governments and providing financial and business management consulting

Ronny Lott

  • Led the fight that reduced property taxes.
  • Driving force behind settlement of wasteful $6 million dollar MDOT lawsuit.
  • Opposed all proposals to increase property taxes.
  • 100% voting record in support of education and law enforcement.
  • Helped create business-friendly environment for creation of new jobs.
  • Opposed unnecessary third landfill.
  • Perfect attendance at meetings of the Board of Supervisors regularly scheduled.

Irby Ford

  • 28 years as a Deputy Tax Assessor and Department Head over the Mapping Division with the Madison County Tax Assessors Office.
  • State Certified Appraiser (Mississippi State University).
  • Missisippi Assessment Evaluator, MAE (State Bureau of revenue).
  • Associate of Applied Science Degree (Holmes Community College).
  • Certificate of Educational Recognition. (International Association of Assessing Officers).
  • Cadastral Mapping Specialist (IAAO) Note: One of only two in the state of Missisippi to receive this international professional designation.

Click on the candidates names for their websites and bios.  Be informed, educate yourself and vote.  This vote matters.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

General Legal

Identification is Now Required to Vote in Mississippi (Voter ID)

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Mississippi recently enacted a Voter ID requirement for most citizens in the State.  Regardless of your politics, it is now the law.  The Mississippi Secretary of State, Delbert Hosemann, has done a great job of getting the word out of the new requirement and how to get your Voter ID.  Here’s how;

Voter ID Logo1

Who needs an ID?
All Mississippians voting at the polls will be required to show a photo ID card. Also, individuals voting in person by absentee ballot in the Circuit Clerk’s office prior to Election Day will be required to show a photo ID.

There are two exemptions:

RELIGIOUS OBJECTORS
Any Mississippi registered voter who states he/she does not have acceptable photo identification because of a religious objection to being photographed shall be entitled to vote by affidavit ballot without being required to show a photo ID.  The ballot will not be rejected for this reason if the voter signs a separate affidavit before the Circuit Clerk within five days of the election.

 

ELIGIBLE ABSENTEE BALLOT VOTERS
Eligible Mississippi voters will not need a photo ID if voting by absentee ballot by mail instead of voting in person at the polls or at a Circuit Clerk’s office. This exemption also applies to eligible voters who are Uniformed Military and Overseas Voters (UOCAVA) who cast an absentee ballot by FAX or email.

WHAT IS AN ACCEPTABLE ID?

  1. A driver’s license
  2. A photo ID card issued by a branch, department, or entity of the State of Mississippi
  3. A United States passport
  4. A government employee ID card
  5. A firearms license
  6. A student photo ID issued by an accredited Mississippi university, college, or community/junior college
  7. A United States military ID
  8. A tribal photo ID
  9. Any other photo ID issued by any branch, department, agency or entity of the United States government or any State government
  10. A Mississippi Voter Identification Card

HOW CAN I GET A MISSISSIPPI VOTER ID CARD?
Beginning in January 2014, all Mississippi Circuit Clerk’s offices will be able to issue a FREE Mississippi Voter Identification Card to any eligible Mississippi voter who does NOT have any other form of acceptable photo ID.

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO GET A VOTER ID CARD?
To get FREE Mississippi Voter Identification Card, take any ONE of the following types of documents to the Circuit Clerk’s office:

  1. Any expired but valid photo identity document having the voter’s name and photograph issued by the U.S. government or any U.S. state
  2. A birth certificate or any other document with the voter’s full legal name, date and place of birth
  3. A Social Security card
  4. A Medicare card
  5. A Medicaid card
  6. A Mississippi Voter Registration Card
  7. Any of the following, as long as it includes the voter’s name and current address:
    • Utility bill issued within the preceding six months
    • Bank statement issued within the preceding six months
    • Paycheck issued within the preceding six months
    • Government check issued within the preceding six months
    • IRS Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement issued within the current calendar year

WHAT IF I NEED MORE INFO?

CALL 1.855.868.3745    or        1.844.MSVOTER

or visit

http://www.MSVoterID.ms.gov

Matthew Thompson is a practicing attorney in Mississippi Family Law Courts reminding you to do your part and Vote.

Follow the blog: #BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Matthew with your family law case or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

General Legal

You Can’t Pick Your Judge (…or Can You?) 2014 MS Judicial Elections

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Normally you do not get to pick your Judge.  In fact, “judge shopping” wherein a suit is filed, you see who it’s assigned to, then dismiss and refile hoping to get a different Judge is unethical and illegal.  However, November 4, 2014, is the date that you DO have a say in which Judge will hear your case.  This is election day for the Judges that are required to run for their positions.

Most Judges in Mississippi take the bench via  election.  Judges run in a non-partisan capacity, meaning they are not required to pick a political party, though they can be endorsed by parties, individuals and entities.  Judge qualifications differ depending on the seat sought, with age, residency requirements and most positions requiring a law degree and practice experience, but not all.

May 9, is the qualifying deadline for non-partisan Judicial elections.  Registration is with the Secretary of State’s Office and a recent list of the those that have qualified thus far has been released.

Most Judges are running unopposed, at least for now, but a few races will be interesting.

  • On the Coast, Chancellor Neil Harris, who’s been in the news, has an opponent in local Jackson County Board Attorney, Paula Yancey.
  • The 13th Chancery District will have a contested election.  Current Chancellor, Joe Dale Walker has some controversy surrounding a recent ruling, as noted here, and faces at least 2 opponents if he chooses to seek re-election. Gerald Martin and Deborah Kennedy have both qualified to run for this seat.   The 13th District serves Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson and Smith counties.
  • Close to home, current Chancellor Janace Harvey-Goree has not yet qualified to run, though attorney Robert G. Clark, III, of Lexington, MS has.   Judge Goree sits over Holmes, Yazoo, Madison and Leake counties.
  • Also, as of current, no Chancellors in Rankin or Hinds counties have opponents.

2014 Candidate Qualifying List

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney, with a statewide practice, reminding you that your vote counts.

Follow the blog: #BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Matthew with your family law case or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

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Opinion

Voting & Mississippi -(a very brief history)

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With the election one day away, this is the (obligatory) “be sure you vote” blawg.

Tuesday we go to the polls to elect State and National officials.  You get to vote for the person you think should be President, and a MS Senator, (if in your district) Congressmen, 2 MS Supreme Court Justices , and a host of local positions, such as election commissioners.

We hear and see a lot of talk about Mississippi being subject to Federal oversight in her elections.  Below is a brief explanation of that Federal oversight.

Mississippi has a stormy past when it comes to voting rights – attempting to restrict minority access to voting –  and those past State actions can still be felt in today’s elections.  Mississippi is one of 8 states subject to the Department of Justice “pre-clearance” and oversight on any voting/election law changes pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. (Some sections of other states are subject to the pre-clearance oversight).

This legislation was designed to ensure the right of minority citizens to register and vote, and to prevent discriminatory laws passed by state and local entities. Both permanent and non-permanent provisions are proscribed. One permanent provision applies nationwide and outlaws any voting practice that results in the denial of voting rights on the basis of a person’s race, color, or membership in a language-minority group.

The non-permanent provisions that are relevant to Mississippi require “pre-clearance” of any changes in voting/election laws and  allows the DOJ to send federal observers to the polls in Mississippi

To pass muster any changes in voting/election laws must demonstrate that the voting change does not have the purpose or effect of discriminating on the basis of race or language minority. If the DOJ or the federal court determines that there is a discriminatory purpose or effect, then an objection is issued. If an objection is issued, the change cannot be put into operation.

Source: The Voting Rights Act and Mississippi 1965-2006, A Report of the RenewtheVRA.org, by Robert McDuff.

With that brief history of MS voting you can see the impact and importance that the right to vote has for many citizens.  Exercise your right to vote; let your voice be heard and your vote be counted.

Thompson Law Firm, PLLC            (601) 850-8000         Matthew@wmtlawfirm.com