Bill > HB1419

This bill amends multiple sections of Mississippi state law to establish a new requirement that the location of a polling place cannot be changed within sixty (60) days before any primary, general, runoff, or special election, unless "exigent circumstances" exist. If such circumstances require a polling place to be relocated close to an election, the governing authorities (such as county boards of supervisors or municipal councils) must document their specific reasons in their official meeting minutes. Additionally, when a polling place location is altered within the sixty-day window, the authorities must provide public notice by posting information at multiple locations, including city hall, the courthouse, the registrar's office, and the previous polling place location, and publish notices in a local newspaper for three consecutive weeks (or each week before the election if the change occurs within three weeks of the election). These provisions aim to provide voters with stability and advance notice of any polling place changes, potentially reducing voter confusion and ensuring transparency in election administration. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving local governments time to prepare for and implement these new polling place location guidelines.

Government Affairs

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1419.xml