Mississippi Senate Bill SB2271

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/23
• Refer: 1/13/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Elections; allow individuals to vote by affidavit if they register after thity-day cutoff but before election day.

Impact

If enacted, the bill may have substantial implications for voting accessibility in Mississippi. It seeks to prevent disenfranchisement of newly registered voters and those facing barriers to present acceptable forms of identification at the polls. The legislation mandates that poll managers assist these voters in executing a written affidavit to validate their identity and eligibility to vote. This process also requires an affidavit ballot envelope to capture necessary information from the voter, ensuring that election officials maintain accurate records and undertake proper ballot counts.

Summary

Senate Bill 2271 aims to amend Section 23-15-573 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to enable individuals who register to vote after the 30-day qualifying cutoff but before election day to cast their votes using an affidavit ballot on election day. This is significant as it provides a pathway for those who may miss the standard registration deadline while still ensuring their right to participate in elections. The bill establishes procedures for poll managers to inform registrants of their right to cast an affidavit ballot when their names do not appear on the pollbooks or if they otherwise cannot cast a standard ballot.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, the bill may face criticism regarding the integrity of the voting process and potential abuse of the affidavit voting system. Opponents may argue that the lack of strict pre-voting identification could lead to fraudulent voting practices. Furthermore, the bill does not mandate a comprehensive voter educational campaign, which could leave many potential voters unaware of their rights and the new processes. Stakeholders may debate the balance between accessibility and ensuring secure and reliable election processes.