Creator: Secretary of State (RG 28)

Collection Summary: These records are from task forces and committees, which examined Mississippi’s election laws and the possibility of reforming them so that they decreased the potential for voter fraud.  Absentee ballots, purging of voter rolls and voter identification were particular issues of contention.  Materials in this series include meeting agendas and minutes, legislation, correspondence (mainly internal memoranda), notes and other materials. Most materials dated 1985-1986 are from the Interim Legislative Study Committee. During these years, there were initiatives to overhaul the elections laws and modernize the voting process, such as mandating that all counties switch to fully automated voting machines by the end of the decade. The documents include correspondence, news clippings, press releases, reports, and summaries. There are also documents from lawsuits filed by Operation PUSH to ensure voting rights.

            The 1992 Elections Task Force was formed entirely within the Office of the Secretary of State.  The 1998 task force was much broader in composition, though its basic purpose was the same.  Created by Senate Resolution No. 62 in the 1998 Regular Session of the Legislature, it was composed of the Secretary of State, two members appointed by the Governor, two members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Elections Committee, and the presidents of the Mississippi Circuit Clerk’s Association and the Election Commissioners Association of Mississippi.  In addition to regular meetings, this Senate Special Task Force on Elections held five public hearings so that members of the public could put forth their opinions. The final report of the 1998 task force was turned in to the Governor and the Senate in December of 1998.  That report is included in this series.

Access Restrictions: None

Dates: 1984-1998

Volume: 1.50 cubic feet

Language: English

Finding Aid Created By: Lori Kincses in February, 2015

Collection Inventory
Box Content

Box

1984-198634847
1986-198834848
1992 & 1998 Task Force files32440