The ballot sent out to absentee voters in Hinds County has complicated what many say is an already confusing voting process. According to the sample ballot approved in September by the governor and secretary of state, the two proposed constitutional amendments should be clearly differentiated on the ballot. The options for voters who vote to change the state constitution should read “FOR Initiative Measure No. 42” and “FOR Alternative Measure No. 42 A,” the two dueling education initiatives. However, the ballot sent to absentee voters in Hinds County leaves out the last “A” in “FOR Alternative Measure 42 A,” leading to concerns that voters intending to vote for Initiative 42 could accidentally vote for Initiative 42A instead. 525 ballots have been sent out to Hinds County voters as of Tuesday, according to the circuit clerk’s office.
Another section of the ballot also doesn’t match up to the sample ballot version. The sample ballot states the second option for the first question should read “AGAINST BOTH Initiative Measure No. 42 and Alternative Measure No. 42 A,” but the Hinds ballot reads “AGAINST APPROVAL OF EITHER Initiative Measure No. 42 OR Alternative Measure No. 42 A.”
Secretary of state spokeswoman Pamela Weaver said the correct sample ballot was made available to all counties.
Full Article: Hinds absentee ballots muddle education initiative.