AN ACT TO RESTORE THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE TO CERTAIN PERSONS DISQUALIFIED BY REASON OF CONVICTION OF A DISENFRANCHISING CRIME; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH PERSONS SHALL BE ENFRANCHISED AFTER COMPLETING THE TERM OF INCARCERATION AND PAROLE OR UPON THE IMPOSITION OF A PROBATION-ONLY SENTENCE FOR SUCH CRIMES; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT THE REMOVAL OF A PERSON'S NAME FROM THE STATEWIDE ELECTIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM UNLESS THE PERSON IS SERVING A TERM OF INCARCERATION OR PAROLE FOR A DISENFRANCHISING CRIME AT THE TIME OF REMOVAL; TO PROVIDE THAT A COURT'S CERTIFICATION OF A CONVICTION FOR PURPOSES OF REMOVAL FROM THE STATEWIDE ELECTIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MUST INDICATE THE TYPE OF SENTENCE IMPOSED; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-151, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE CIRCUIT CLERK'S ENROLLMENT BOOK LISTING THE NAMES OF PERSONS CONVICTED OF DISENFRANCHISING CRIMES MUST BE UPDATED TO EXCLUDE THE NAMES OF THOSE PERSONS ENFRANCHISED UNDER THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-125 AND 23-15-153, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE VOTER ROLL AND POLLBOOKS MUST BE UPDATED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-39 AND 23-15-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL ADOPT VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS WHICH STATE THAT A PERSON RESTORED THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE UNDER THIS ACT IS NOT DISQUALIFIED FROM REGISTERING TO VOTE; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-213, 23-15-223 AND 23-15-239, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT TRAINING FOR ELECTION COMMISSIONERS, REGISTRARS AND POLL MANAGERS WHICH WILL INSTRUCT THEM ON THEIR DUTIES WITH REGARD TO PERSONS RESTORED THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE UNDER THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-165, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL UPDATE THE STATEWIDE ELECTIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN A MANNER THAT WILL ALLOW LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS TO VERIFY WHETHER A PERSON HAS A DISQUALIFYING CONVICTION; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 23-15-573, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE FOR CASTING AN AFFIDAVIT BALLOT, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Impact
The bill proposes amendments to several sections of the Mississippi Code, notably Section 23-15-11, 23-15-19, and 23-15-151, which will align existing laws with the new provisions for suffrage restoration. If enacted, the legislation would eliminate current practices that automatically remove the names of individuals convicted of disenfranchising crimes from the Statewide Elections Management System unless they are actively incarcerated or on parole. Furthermore, it mandates that any court certification of a conviction must reflect the type of sentence imposed, thereby ensuring that individuals sentenced to probation do not face automatic disenfranchisement.
Summary
Senate Bill 2215 aims to restore the right to vote for individuals who have been disenfranchised due to criminal convictions for crimes defined as disenfranchising under Section 241 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890. Specifically, the bill stipulates that individuals shall regain their voting rights upon completing their term of incarceration, parole, or if they are sentenced solely to probation. This legislative effort seeks to address the disenfranchisement of citizens who have served their sentences and provide a pathway to reintegrate them into the electoral process.
Contention
Discussions surrounding SB 2215 underscore significant points of contention. Proponents of the bill argue that restoring voting rights is essential for fostering civic engagement and reintegration of former felons into society. However, critics may express concerns regarding the implications of allowing those with criminal convictions to vote, questioning the morality and societal impact of extending suffrage to these individuals. The bill's passage may invoke broader debates over election integrity and the value of second chances in the context of criminal justice reform.