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Bill > HB89


MS HB89

MS HB89
Secretary of State; require to provide election officials training on disenfranchising crimes.


summary

Introduced
01/10/2025
In Committee
01/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/04/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Amend Section 23-15-19, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That The Secretary Of State Shall Be Responsible For Ensuring That The Public Can Access, Through The Secretary Of State's Website And Through A Telephone Number, An Up-to-date List Of Those Crimes, Identified By The Code Section Number, That Are Disenfranchising And Those That Are Not; To Require The Secretary Of State To Ensure That All Officials Responsible For Registering Voters Have Up-to-date Internet Based Electronic Means Of Determining Whether A Person Has Been Convicted Of A Disenfranchising Crime; To Amend Sections 23-15-213 And 23-15-223, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That The Training Required Of Election Commissioners And Registrars Shall Include Adequate Training, Including On An Up-to-date Database, To Ensure That Persons Are Not Denied The Right To Register To Vote And Cast A Ballot Based On A Conviction That Is Not A Disenfranchising Crime, According To The Code Section Number; To Bring Forward Section 23-15-165, Mississippi Code Of 1972, For The Purpose Of Possible Amendment; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill aims to improve voter registration processes in Mississippi by requiring the Secretary of State to provide clear guidance and training about disenfranchising crimes. Specifically, the Secretary of State must create and maintain a publicly accessible, up-to-date online list and telephone resource that identifies which specific crimes result in the loss of voting rights. The bill mandates that election commissioners and voter registrars receive comprehensive training to ensure they can accurately determine whether a person's criminal conviction prevents them from voting. The training will include access to an electronic database that helps officials distinguish between disenfranchising and non-disenfranchising crimes. The goal is to prevent wrongful denial of voter registration or ballot casting based on misunderstandings about criminal convictions. Most provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025, with some training-related sections becoming active immediately upon passage. This legislation seeks to increase transparency and reduce potential errors in voter eligibility determinations by providing clear, centralized guidance about voting rights following criminal convictions.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 02/04/2025)

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