A Mississippi attorney says his clients won a partial victory in a lawsuit seeking to expand absentee voting because of the coronavirus. But they aren’t satisfied, so they’re taking their argument to the state supreme court. Wednesday, a Hinds County judge ruled voters with pre-existing conditions can vote absentee, but rejected allowing anyone concerned about going to the polls to do so. Attorney Robert McDuff is with the justice center.
“We also believe that under Mississippi law even people who don’t have existing medical conditions should be able to vote absentee because they are following public health guidance to avoid community events,” said McDuff.
Mary Harwell is one of the six plaintiff’s in the lawsuit and agrees with McDuff. The 45-year old says she has Type 1 Diabetes and has self-quarantined since March. Harwell says she is thankful she can vote absentee. But her husband can’t. His potential exposure to the virus concerns her because of their 13-year old son.
“He has severe autism, cerebral palsy and is also immuno-compromised. He requires 24/7 care from me. Not only am I concerned about him being exposed to this virus, I’m concerned about myself being high risk and possibly me getting sick and not being able to take care of him,” said Harwell.
The League of Women Voters has also filed a lawsuit to expand absentee voting. In a statement Secretary of State Michael Watson said they’re appealing the case to the Mississippi Supreme Court, seeking clarification on what temporary disability means, so circuit clerks can apply the statute consistently.
