On Thursday, Aug. 25, a public hearing was conducted at Co-Lin to discuss and, I assume, get public comments on three issues to be voted on in November.

I was not one of the 50 or so people who attended, but I read with interest in the Friday edition of The Natchez Democrat, the various comments made by two of our elected officials opposing the voter identification proposal. There is something I would like to point out about voter ID which I feel certain was not mentioned by those in opposition.

There are currently 23 states in this country who have instituted voter ID. As the matter of fact, many sister states have adopted voter ID; including Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama.

It is very interesting to me that with 23 states having adopted this law in their states, there have been no reported cases of disenfranchised voters. At least, the media has not reported any to my knowledge, and we all know if there was anything of that nature to report, they would be “Johnny on the spot” to report it.

The fact of the matter is, no voter is going to be denied the right to vote because of voter ID.

Those opposed to voter ID believe a disenfranchised voter is much worse than an illegal voter. I respectfully disagree and question the irresponsibility of their arguments.

If this ballot issue passes, the Mississippi Legislature as well as the Secretary of State will ensure that proper rules and regulations are in place to safeguard that no legal voter is denied the right to vote.

Additionally there will be training for poll managers and poll workers to make sure that the rules and regulations are properly enforced.

I have worked as an R & R (receiving and returning) poll manager for more than 20 years and have attended many poll worker training sessions.

The Democratic and Republican parties are constantly looking for individuals willing to be trained to ensure that the issues those opposed are so concerned about will not be an issue.

Any registered voter is eligible to be a poll worker. With that in mind, I would encourage anyone interested in working at the polls as a poll worker to contact the Adams County Election Commission.

And for those who were unaware, this issue was brought up at the Natchez Board of Aldermen meeting and a vote was taken in an attempt to have the city officially oppose the voter ID ballot proposal.

In light of recent events, it would appear there are much more important issues for certain members of the board of aldermen to be concerned about than trying to intimidate voters on voter ID issues.

I would encourage all registered voters to go to the polls on Nov. 8 and vote in favor of voter ID.

Conrad Anderson Jr.

Natchez resident