AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 23-15-615, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO AUDIT ELECTION PROCEDURES OF THE 2023, 2024, 2026 AND 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE COUNTIES OF THE STATE; TO PROVIDE HOW THE COUNTIES SHALL BE SELECTED; TO PROVIDE WHAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE MAY AUDIT DURING A PROCEDURAL AUDIT; TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO CREATE A POST-ELECTION AUDIT MANUAL; TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO COMPILE A REPORT OF THE PROCEDURAL AUDITS; TO REPEAL SECTION 23-15-613, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES THAT ELECTION COMMISSIONS AND COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES SHALL REPORT RESIDUAL VOTE INFORMATION TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-153, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO RECEIVE A PER DIEM OF $110 FOR CONDUCTING AN AUDIT OF AN ELECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE HOW THE MONIES IN THE ELECTIONS SUPPORT FUND ARE DISTRIBUTED; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 23-15-152, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT AN ELECTOR WHO FAILS TO RESPOND TO A CONFIRMATION NOTICE AND WHO FAILS TO VOTE DURING A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME SHALL BE REMOVED FROM THE STATEWIDE ELECTIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR "CONFIRMATION NOTICE" AND "FAILS TO RESPOND TO THE CONFIRMATION NOTICE"; TO PROVIDE THOSE REGISTERED VOTERS WHO SHALL RECEIVE CONFIRMATION NOTICES; TO PROVIDE THAT A REGISTERED VOTER WHO IS MAILED A CONFIRMATION NOTICE SHALL BE PLACED ON INACTIVE STATUS IN THE STATEWIDE ELECTIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BUT SHALL BE ABLE TO VOTE BY AFFIDAVIT BALLOT; TO PROVIDE THE TIME FOR REMOVAL OF VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE RETENTION OF REMOVED VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-125, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT BY JANUARY 1, 2025, THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL COMPARE THE ENTIRE STATEWIDE ELECTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DRIVER'S LICENSE DATABASE; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED TO SHOW PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RECORDS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-165, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 23-15-613, 23-15-153, 23-15-5, 23-15-125, 23-15-15, 23-15-165, 23-15-603, 23-15-591, 23-15-517, 23-15-595, 23-15-519, 23-15-247, 23-15-639, 23-15-531.10, 23-15-611, 23-15-503
Committee Substitute: 23-15-613, 23-15-153, 23-15-5, 23-15-125, 23-15-15, 23-15-165, 23-15-603
As Passed by the House: 23-15-613, 23-15-153, 23-15-5, 23-15-125, 23-15-15, 23-15-165, 23-15-603
Approved by the Governor: 23-15-153, 23-15-5, 23-15-125, 23-15-15, 23-15-165