Bill
Bill > HB515
summary
Introduced
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
In Committee
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Restore The Right Of Suffrage To Certain Persons Disqualified By Reason Of Conviction Of A Disenfranchising Crime; To Provide That Such Persons Shall Be Enfranchised After Completing The Term Of Incarceration And Parole Or Upon The Imposition Of A Probation-only Sentence For Such Crimes; To Amend Section 23-15-11, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform; To Amend Section 23-15-19, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Prohibit The Removal Of A Person's Name From The Statewide Elections Management System Unless The Person Is Serving A Term Of Incarceration Or Parole For A Disenfranchising Crime At The Time Of Removal; To Provide That A Court's Certification Of A Conviction For Purposes Of Removal From The Statewide Elections Management System Must Indicate The Type Of Sentence Imposed; To Amend Section 23-15-151, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That The Circuit Clerk's Enrollment Book Listing The Names Of Persons Convicted Of Disenfranchising Crimes Must Be Updated To Exclude The Names Of Those Persons Enfranchised Under This Act; To Amend Sections 23-15-125 And 23-15-153, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That The Voter Roll And Pollbooks Must Be Updated In A Manner Consistent With This Act; To Amend Section 23-15-47, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That The Secretary Of State Shall Adopt Voter Registration Applications That State That A Person Restored The Right Of Suffrage Under This Act Shall Not Be Disqualified From Registering To Vote; To Amend Section 23-15-213, 23-15-223 And 23-15-239, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That The Secretary Of State Shall Develop And Implement Training For Election Commissioners, Registrars And Poll Managers That Shall Instruct Them On Their Duties With Regard To Persons Restored The Right Of Suffrage Under This Act; To Amend Section 23-15-165, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That The Secretary Of State Shall Update The Statewide Elections Management System In A Manner That Shall Allow Local Election Officials To Verify Whether A Person Has A Disqualifying Conviction; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill aims to restore voting rights to individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes in Mississippi. Specifically, the bill provides that people who have been convicted of vote fraud or crimes listed in Section 241 of the Mississippi Constitution will have their right to vote restored either upon completion of their incarceration and parole or immediately if they are sentenced solely to probation. The bill requires updates to various state election management systems and procedures to reflect these changes, including modifying voter registration applications, updating the Statewide Elections Management System, and mandating training for election officials about the restored voting rights. Key provisions include removing barriers to voter registration for those with past convictions, ensuring that people with probation-only sentences are not disqualified from voting, and requiring the Secretary of State to develop training programs that inform election workers about the new voting rights restoration process. The bill essentially seeks to broaden voter participation by reducing restrictions on voting for individuals with prior criminal convictions, aligning with broader national trends of voting rights restoration for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0515.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2025/html/HB/0500-0599/HB0515IN.htm |
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