Mississippi remains in a wait-and-see mode over whether the U.S. Department of Justice will approve the state’s new voter ID law.

     For now, the lack of a federal determination means voters will not have to show identification when they go to the polls for next month’s election.

     Whether the Justice Department will eventually preclear the state’s law is anyone’s guess at this point. Preclearance is needed under the Voting Rights Act.

     The federal agency last week asked for more information about Mississippi’s voter ID law, a move that ended any possibility of voters needing to show ID in the November election. After it gets the requested information from the state, the department will have 60 days to respond.

     Despite what many consider obvious benefits, voter ID efforts across the nation have had a tough time passing legal muster.

     A Texas voter ID measure was rejected by the Justice Department and Pennsylvania judge last week blocked that state’s law, which was considered one of the toughest in the nation. Still other ID efforts are pending either in the court system or with the Justice Department.

     Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, who handles election-related matters for Mississippi, sounded pessimistic last month that Mississippi’s law would win DOJ’s blessings. However, he was more hopeful of its chances in the court system, which he expects will eventually resolve the matter.

     After a complicated initiative process to get the issue on the ballot, Mississippi voters last year approved a constitutional amendment for voter ID, and state lawmakers followed through this year with drafting a proposal. That is what is now up for federal review.

     Much time, money and effort have been spent overcoming roadblocks – making sure the ID cards are free to those who need them, trying to ensure no discriminatory effects and other measures – that voter ID opponents have clung to and tried to erect.

     If voter ID is rejected, it will be disappointing that efforts to get it approved went for naught.