MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Elections

By: Senator(s) Harden (By Request)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-231, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT IN ALL CASES THAT THE MANAGERS OF VOTING PRECINCTS SHALL NOT BE ALL OF THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY.

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

SECTION 1. Section 23-15-231, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

23-15-231. Prior to every election, the commissioners of election shall appoint three (3) persons for each voting precinct to be managers of the election, one (1) of whom shall be designated by the commissioners of election as election bailiff. Such managers shall not all be of the same political party * * *. If any person appointed shall fail to attend and serve, the managers present, if any, may designate someone to fill his place; and if the commissioners of election fail to make the appointments or in case of the failure of all those appointed to attend and serve, any three (3) qualified electors present when the polls should be opened may act as managers. Provided, however, any person appointed to be manager or act as manager shall be a qualified elector of the county in which the polling place is located.

SECTION 2. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi is hereby directed to 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.