MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Energy; Elections
By: Senator(s) Jones
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-555, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF CELLULAR TELEPHONES IN POLLING PLACES UNLESS THE USE IS FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF COMMUNICATING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL REGARDING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 23-15-555, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
23-15-555. * * * (1) No voter * * * shall, except as herein provided, allow his
ballot to be seen by any person, or * * * make a false statement as to his
inability to mark his ballot, or * * * place any mark upon his ballot by
which it can afterwards be identified as the one voted by him * * *.
(2) No person * * * shall interfere or attempt to interfere
with any voter when inside the compartment or * * * enclosed place, or when
marking his ballot * * *.
(3) No person shall
endeavor to induce any voter before voting to show how he will mark, or after
voting how he has marked his ballot * * *.
(4) No person shall use a cellular telephone while inside a polling place except as provided in this subsection.
(a) The use of the cellular telephone is for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation:
(i) Law enforcement personnel;
(ii) Fire department personnel;
(iii) Hospital, physician's office or health clinic personnel;
(iv) Emergency medical personnel; or
(v) An emergency response or E911 operator.
(b) The person serves as personnel for an entity listed in paragraph (a) of this subsection and the use is for the sole purpose of receiving a communication regarding an emergency situation.
(5) A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00); and the election officers shall cause any person so violating the law to be arrested and carried before the proper officer or tribunal for commitment and trial for such offense.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.