Suffrage; restore to John Howard Cook of Lamar County.
Summary
House Bill 4003 is a private suffrage bill that restores the right to vote to John Howard Cook of Lamar County, Mississippi. The bill identifies Cook as having lost his voting rights because of a 1979 grand larceny conviction in Panola County, subsequent probation revocation, and an 11-year sentence in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. It also notes that he was released in 1992 and that the Legislature has been informed he has since lived as a law-abiding and honorable citizen.
The measure is narrowly tailored to one individual and does not change general election law or the rules governing restoration of voting rights for other people with felony convictions. If enacted, it would immediately and fully restore Cook’s suffrage rights upon passage. The bill takes effect immediately after enactment, making the restoration effective without delay.
Impact
HB4003 would amend state law only as applied to a single named individual by removing his disqualification as an elector and restoring his voting rights. It does not create a broader statutory process or alter Mississippi’s general felony disenfranchisement framework; instead, it functions as a special legislative act of suffrage restoration for John Howard Cook alone. The practical effect is limited to his eligibility to register and vote in Mississippi.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or recorded vote information was provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text, the measure appears routine and individualized, reflecting the Legislature’s customary practice of considering private suffrage restoration bills for specific former offenders who have completed their sentences and demonstrated post-release law-abiding conduct.
Contention
The main point of potential contention in a bill like this is the use of a special legislative act to restore voting rights to one person rather than relying on a general restoration process. Supporters would likely emphasize Cook’s long period since release and the bill’s statement that he has been a law-abiding citizen, while any concern would center on the underlying felony conviction and whether individualized suffrage restoration is the appropriate mechanism. No specific objections or named opponents appear in the provided record.