MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Elections; Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
By: Senator(s) Frazier
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THIS STATE TO SUBMIT VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS THROUGH A SECURE INTERNET WEBSITE ESTABLISHED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL FORWARD THE APPLICATION AND ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RECEIVED TO THE REGISTRAR OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE APPLICANT CURRENTLY RESIDES; TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES BY WHICH THE COUNTY REGISTRAR SHALL PROCESS SUCH APPLICATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 23-15-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
23-15-49. (1) * * * The Secretary of State shall, with the
support of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, establish a secure
Internet website to permit:
(a) Applicants qualified under Section 23-15-11 to submit voter registration applications. The instructions and the online voter registration shall be in a form established by rule duly adopted by the Secretary of State; and
(b)
Registered electors to change their name, address or other information set
forth in the * * * existing voter registration record.
( * * *2) * * * The Secretary of State * * * shall
ensure that the secure website * * * uses
software that is capable of:
(a) Verifying that:
(i) The applicant or elector has a current and valid Mississippi driver's license or photo identification card issued by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the number for that driver's license or photo identification card provided by the applicant or elector matches the number for the applicant's or elector's driver's license or photo identification card that is on file with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety;
(ii) The
name and date of birth provided by the * * * applicant or elector matches the
name and date of birth that is on file with the Mississippi Department of
Public Safety; and
(iii) The information provided by the applicant or elector matches the information on file with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
(b)
Rejecting voter registration applications or requested changes if any of
the information does not match that on file with the Mississippi Department of
Public Safety * * * or for other reasons provided by law.
(3) The voter registration application shall be reviewed by the county registrar of the applicant's county of residence. The application shall be rejected if any of the items listed in subsection (2) of this section do not match or for any of the reasons set forth in Section 23-15-47(2)(d).
( * * *4) Any person who attempts to
register to vote by electronic registration or attempts to change
registration information under this section shall be subject to the penalties
for false registration provided for in Section 97-13-25.
( * * *5) The Secretary of State and the
Department of Public Safety shall enter into a memorandum of understanding
providing for the sharing of information required to facilitate the
requirements of this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.