MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Elections
By: Senator(s) Tate
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-907, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO FURTHER DEFINE TERMS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 23-15-907, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
23-15-907. (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) For the purposes of this section, with respect to a person to whom the ballot was mailed:
(a) "Caregiver" means an individual who provides medical or health care assistance to such person in a residence, nursing care institution, hospice facility, assisted living center, assisted living facility, assisted living home, residential care institution, adult day health care facility, or adult foster care home.
(b) "Family member" means an individual who is related to such person by blood, marriage, adoption, or legal guardianship.
(c) "Household member" means an individual who resides at the same residence as such person.
(3) 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, 2024.