Legislation has been authored to modernize the way first-time voters can register to cast a ballot in Mississippi.
Mississippi is one of just seven states without online voter registration. Rep. Zakiya Summers is looking to change that this year. The Democratic lawmaker from Jackson introduced House Bill 753 on Wednesday to allow first-time voters to register via an online platform. The process would only apply to qualified Mississippians possessing valid state identification.
Under Summers’ proposal, the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office, which oversees elections, would be tasked with collaborating with the Department of Public Safety to create and manage an online portal to process applications from prospective voters seeking to make an inaugural appearance at the ballot box.
There is also an educational component to the bill. Each Mississippi county would be required to provide all public schools with instructions for submitting an online voter application as well as mail-in applications. This would be done in both semesters of the academic calendar, especially before notable primary and general elections.
Each public school in Mississippi would have to welcome the county registrar or their deputy to register persons who are eligible to vote and to provide voter education. The goal is to help get young people out to vote as soon as they turn 18 or have the first opportunity to exercise their constitutional right.
Per the bill, online applications must be submitted at least 30 days before an election, unless the 30th day falls on a Sunday or legal holiday. Under those circumstances, the applicant would have one extra business day to fill out the online document. Once an application is submitted, county registrars would be required to review it and determine whether or not to accept the document.
If an application is given the green light, the county registrar would mail a written letter notifying the applicant that he or she is eligible to vote, along with county and polling precinct information. That letter would operate as the individual’s legal voter registration card.
An online voter application would be rejected if:
- An incomplete portion of the application makes it impossible for the registrar to determine the eligibility of the applicant to register
- The county registrar is unable to determine, from the address and information stated on the application, the precinct in which the voter should be assigned or the supervisor district in which he or she is entitled to vote
- The applicant is not qualified to register to vote
- The county registrar determines that the applicant is already registered as a qualified elector of his or her county of residence
- The county registrar is unable to verify the application by matching the applicant’s Mississippi driver’s license number through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety or by matching the applicant’s social security number through the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
In the event of a minor error on an application, county registrars would have the ability to contact applicants and allow them to correct the mistake in a timely fashion. If the edits cannot be delivered by mail or phone, or the details are not sufficient to complete the application within 14 days of receipt, the county registrar will send a rejection letter while also notifying the applicant of his or her right to register in person or by filing another online application.
Online voter registration has been a hot-button issue in Mississippi that has yet to make significant headway in the legislature. Proponents argue that this would help citizens, especially young people, be a part of democracy. However, critics cite concerns over the legitimacy of online applications and worry about possible voter fraud.
Currently, Mississippi allows qualified citizens to register to vote at circuit clerk’s offices, municipal clerk’s offices, when obtaining a driver’s license, or by mailing an application to circuit clerks. Registration must be accomplished at least 30 days before the first election in which a citizen wishes to vote.
Mail-in voter registration forms are available at the Secretary of State’s office, in public libraries, driver’s license exam stations, circuit clerk’s offices, municipal clerk’s offices, and public schools, and online.
Summers’ bill currently sits in the House Apportionment and Elections committee. If passed by both chambers and approved with or without signature by the governor, the new law would go into effect on July 1, 2025.
