On Tuesday, November 8, 2011, voters will go to the polls to cast their ballots. In this upcoming election, Mississippians are asked to vote for the candidate of their choice in a large number of state offices, including Governor and Lieutenant Governor. In addition, Mississippians will also be marking the ballots for or against Initiative 26, Initiative 27, and Initiative 31.

Initiative 26 known as the Mississippi Life Begins at the Moment of Fertilization Amendment will appear on the general election ballot as an indirect initiated constitutional amendment. The measure proposes adding language to the Mississippi Constitution that declares that life begins at the moment of fertilization. The official ballot summary of the measure reads:

“Initiative #26 would amend the Mississippi Constitution to define the word ‘person’ or ‘persons’, as those terms are used in Article III of the state constitution, to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the functional equivalent thereof.”

Initiative 27, known as Mississippi Voter Identification Amendment, will appear on the general election ballot as an indirect initiated constitutional amendment. The measure, if enacted by voters, would require Voter ID at the polls in the state. The ballot summary of the measure reads as follows:

Initiative #27 would amend the Mississippi Constitution to require voters to submit a government issued photo identification before being allowed to vote; provides that any voter lacking government issued photo identification may obtain photo identification without charge from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety; and exempts certain residents of state-licensed care facilities and religious objectors from being required to show photo identification in order to vote.

Initiative 31, known as the Mississippi Eminent Domain Amendment, will appear on the general election ballot as an indirect initiated constitutional amendment. The summary of the amendment reads as follows:

Initiative #31 would amend the Mississippi Constitution to prohibit state and local government from taking private property by eminent domain and then conveying it to other persons or private businesses for a period of ten years after acquisition. Exceptions from the prohibition include drainage and levee facilities, roads, bridges, ports, airports, common carriers, and utilities. The prohibition would not apply in certain situations, including public nuisance, structures unfit for human habitation, or abandoned property.

This is a very important election and can change the future of the State of Mississippi in a number of ways. Therefore, it is extremely important that you get out to vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

Sample ballot for Hinds County http://www.co.hinds.ms.us/pgs/pdf/sampleballots/SampleBallot.pdf