MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Elections
By: Senator(s) Tate, Blackwell, Moran, McMahan, Barrett, Williams, DeLano, Seymour, Whaley, McCaughn, DeBar, Branning, England, McLendon, Wiggins, Caughman, Michel, Younger, Hill, Carter, Suber, Chassaniol, Parks, Polk, Sojourner, Chism, Fillingane
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT BALLOT HARVESTING; TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS FOR CERTAIN INSTANCES WHERE BALLOT COLLECTION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE BALLOT HARVESTING; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 97-13-37 FOR INDIVIDUALS FOUND GUILTY OF IMPROPERLY COLLECTING BALLOTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) A person shall not knowingly collect and transmit a ballot that was mailed to another person, except as follows:
(a) An election official while engaged in official duties as authorized by law.
(b) An employee of the United States Postal Service while engaged in official duties as authorized by law.
(c) Any other individual who is allowed by federal law to collect and transmit United States mail while engaged in official duties as authorized by law.
(d) A family member, household member, or caregiver of the person to whom the ballot was mailed.
(e) A common carrier that transports goods from one place to another for a fee. No parcel shall contain more than a single ballot.
(2) Any violation of this section shall be subject to the penalties of Section 97-13-37.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.