Bill > HB1627

This bill modifies Mississippi law regarding voting rights for individuals convicted of certain crimes, aiming to automatically restore voting rights once all sentencing requirements are met, with specific exceptions. It clarifies that individuals convicted of crimes like bribery, theft, perjury, forgery, bigamy, or other crimes deemed disenfranchising by the Attorney General, will have their voting rights revoked upon conviction but will automatically regain them after completing their sentence, unless the conviction is for more serious offenses such as arson, armed robbery, carjacking, embezzlement (of $5,000 or more), murder, rape, sexual battery, human trafficking, child exploitation, commercial sexual activity, or statutory rape. The bill also updates various sections of the Mississippi Code to align with these changes, ensuring that the Statewide Elections Management System (SEMS), a centralized database of registered voters, reflects these restored voting rights and that election officials are informed of these changes. Additionally, it brings forward existing laws related to disqualification from holding office due to dueling and restoration of suffrage for military service during specific World Wars for possible amendment, and sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Government Affairs

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1627.xml