MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Apportionment and Elections

By: Representative Reynolds, Baker (8th), Barnett, Beckett, Buck, Clarke, Dedeaux, Eaton, Gadd, Guice, Hamilton (6th), Holloway, Mayhall, Moak, Moss, Peranich, Thomas, Woods, Zuber

House Bill 621

AN ACT TO ALLOW ANY QUALIFIED ELECTOR TO VOTE IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS BEFORE A PRIMARY OR GENERAL ELECTION IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL ELECTION, EXCLUDING SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND ALL LEGAL HOLIDAYS; TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION WHICH ALLOWS ANY QUALIFIED ELECTOR TO VOTE IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR FROM 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 12:00 NOON ON THE SATURDAY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE THIRTIETH DAY PRIOR TO ANY REGULARLY SCHEDULED PRIMARY OR GENERAL ELECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 

     SECTION 1.  (1)  (a)  Any qualified elector may vote in the office of the registrar for any reason within thirty (30) days  before a primary or general election in any state or federal election, excluding Saturday, Sunday and all legal holidays.

          (b)  Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, any qualified elector may vote in the office of the registrar from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on the Saturday immediately preceding the thirtieth day prior to any regularly scheduled primary or general election.

     SECTION 2.  The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.