With just over two weeks until Election Day, Mississippians are gearing up to cast their ballots for several statewide elections and a contentious presidential election. Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson wants voters to know the election process is safe in the Magnolia State.
Although government, court, and other third-party research shows that voter fraud is extremely rare, a nationwide NPR poll says 6 in 10 Americans are concerned about interference that could influence the upcoming election. Watson vouches that his office, along with the state legislature, has added every possible safeguard to protect election integrity.
“I hate when people say, ‘You’re just trying to make it hard on people to vote.’ No, we aren’t,” Watson said during an appearance on MidDays with Gerard Gibert. “We’re trying to follow the law and make sure there’s integrity in the process. That’s what we’re doing.”
Among those safeguards include a dual-verification process, the first step of which is called DPS Verify, for voter registration and partnerships with five other southeastern states to compare and verify voter rolls. Additionally, the legislature banned ballot harvesting in the state, which is the gathering and submitting of absentee or mail-in ballots by third-party individuals.
“One of the things that I’ve tried to tell Mississippians is, ‘You can rest assured that we have a great process here,'” Watson continued. “There won’t be questions. And thank the Lord, a lot of people kind of laugh at this, that we aren’t one of those that will be in the crosshairs on election night.”
Watson, who will also aid other secretaries of state on election night as the incoming president of the National Association of Secretaries of State, encouraged voters to hold their local election officials accountable. One way to do that, according to Watson, is to check voter roll numbers on the secretary of state office’s website – data which is updated monthly.
“I’m really comfortable with where we are,” Watson said. “I think we’ve done a great job and appreciate the legislature’s help.”
Other state officials, such as leaders from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, are also making citizens aware that they will emphasize both voter safety and election legitimacy on and after November 5.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” U.S. Attorney Todd Gee said. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
Gee noted in a press release that Mississippians should be vigilant in reporting potential fraud or voting rights concerns, which can be done by contacting Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bert Carraway and Samuel Goff at 601-973-2826 or 601-973-2855 on Election Day. The FBI will also have special agents available in local field offices throughout the country to receive allegations of fraud and other election abuses.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in every field office throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The Mississippi FBI field office, located in Jackson, can be reached by the public at 601-948-5000.
