AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE QUALIFIED ELECTORS TO SUBMIT VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS THROUGH A SECURE INTERNET WEBSITE ESTABLISHED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE; TO ESTABLISH THE PROCEDURE BY WHICH THE COUNTY REGISTRAR SHALL PROCESS ONLINE APPLICATIONS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-35, 23-15-37, 23-15-39, 23-15-41 AND 23-15-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AUTHORIZE A QUALIFIED ELECTOR TO VOTE NOT MORE THAN 21 DAYS NOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF AN ELECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT PREELECTION VOTING MAY BE CONDUCTED IN THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE; TO REQUIRE A PERSON WHO DESIRES TO VOTE DURING THE PREELECTION DAY VOTING PERIOD TO APPEAR AT THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE; TO PROVIDE THAT AFTER SIGNING THE RECEIPT BOOK SUCH PERSON SHALL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE IN THE SAME MANNER AS HE WOULD AT HIS VOTING PRECINCT ON THE DAY OF THE ELECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ELECTION LAWS THAT GOVERN PROCEDURES FOR A PERSON WHO APPEARS TO VOTE ON THE DAY OF ELECTION SHALL APPLY WHEN A PERSON APPEARS TO VOTE DURING THE PREELECTION DAY VOTING PERIOD; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL VOTES CAST DURING THE PREELECTION DAY VOTING PERIOD SHALL BE FINAL; TO PROVIDE THAT THE VOTES CAST DURING THE PREELECTION DAY VOTING PERIOD SHALL BE ANNOUNCED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE VOTE CAST ON ELECTION DAY; TO PROVIDE THAT EACH CANDIDATE SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE PRESENT AT THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE AND TO CHALLENGE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ANY PERSON OFFERING TO PREELECTION VOTE IN THE SAME MANNER AS PROVIDED BY LAW AT THE POLLING PLACE ON THE DAY OF THE ELECTION; TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE PREELECTION DAY VOTING; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-195, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-627, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE CATEGORIES OF VOTERS WHO MAY CAST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-637, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ALL ABSENTEE BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE REGISTRAR BY A CERTAIN TIME ON THE DAY BEFORE THE ELECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 23-15-49, 23-15-35, 23-15-37, 23-15-39, 23-15-41, 23-15-79, 23-15-195, 23-15-627, 23-15-637