Elections; revise provisions for the distribution of absentee ballots.
The legislation significantly revises how absentee voting is conducted in Mississippi by banning the establishment of ballot drop boxes and similar receptacles. This means voters will lose convenient options for returning their ballots, which could disproportionately affect those without easy access to polling locations or postal services. Moreover, the requirement for voters to request their absentee ballots explicitly is expected to tighten control over the absentee voting process, potentially impacting voter turnout, especially among those who may rely on automatic ballot distribution due to disabilities or lack of mobility.
House Bill 1308 aims to regulate the distribution and collection of absentee ballots in Mississippi. The bill stipulates that no officer or employee of the state or its political subdivisions may distribute absentee ballots or applications to individuals who have not actively requested them. Additionally, public funds cannot be used to facilitate the distribution of absentee ballots or applications without a direct request from the voter. This regulation is intended to prevent unsolicited ballot distribution and limit the potential for electoral fraud.
Opponents of HB 1308 argue that it creates unnecessary barriers to voting and undermines efforts to enhance voter access. The bill includes criminal penalties for violations, classifying offenses related to improper absentee ballot handling as felonies, which raises concerns about the potential for overreach and the criminalization of election administration. Advocates for voter access fear that by making absentee voting more cumbersome, the bill could disenfranchise more voters, particularly those who are elderly, disabled, or otherwise unable to vote in person.
In addition to the aforementioned restrictions, the bill revises various sections of the Mississippi Code of 1972 related to absentee voting. This includes the handling and background processes for absentee ballot applications, reinforcing the necessity for proper documentation and sworn statements from voters. The Secretary of State is also empowered to promulgate regulations to ensure the law's implementation, which could lead to further administrative changes in how absentee voting is managed in future elections.