Bill > HB87

This bill aims to restore voting rights to individuals who have been disqualified from voting due to a criminal conviction upon completion of their full sentence. The bill defines "sentence" as including the entire period of incarceration, probation, and parole for a disqualifying conviction. It requires the Secretary of State to maintain an up-to-date, publicly accessible list of which crimes are considered disenfranchising and the criteria for restoring voting rights. The legislation mandates that election commissioners and registrars receive training to ensure that people are not wrongly prevented from registering to vote after completing their sentence. The bill also requires the creation of electronic systems to help election officials verify a person's eligibility to vote, and explicitly states that individuals cannot be denied the right to register and vote based on a prior conviction once their full sentence is completed. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of State and Mississippi Department of Corrections to collaborate to ensure that people are properly placed back on voter rolls after sentence completion. The changes aim to make the voter registration process more transparent and accessible for individuals who have previously been convicted of crimes.

Government Affairs

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0087.xml