MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Hines, Clark

House Bill 594

AN ACT TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO INCLUDE WITHIN ITS UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CLASS NOT LESS THAN ONE-HALF HOUR OF VOTER EDUCATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  In addition to the curriculum otherwise required by law or by the State Board of Education to be taught in the public schools of this state, each public high school shall include not less than one-half (1/2) hour of voter education as part of the school's United States government class.  The voter education component of United State government required under this section must include, but not necessarily be limited to, instruction in the following:

          (a)  Registering to vote;

          (b)  Voting by electronic voting machine;

          (c)  The office of election commissioner and the duties performed by election commissioners; and

          (d)  Any other issues related to the process of voting which the State Department of Education may require.

     SECTION 2.  Section 1 of this act shall be codified as a separate code section in Chapter 13, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.