SB 2325

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE GOVERNOR MAY RESTORE THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE TO CERTAIN PERSONS DISQUALIFIED BY REASON OF CONVICTION OF A DISENFRANCHISING CRIME; TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON SHALL BE ENFRANCHISED AFTER COMPLETING ANY SENTENCE AND PAYING ANY FINES IMPOSED BY THE SENTENCING COURT FOR SUCH CRIME; TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS OR THE SENTENCING COURT, WHICHEVER IS APPROPRIATE, TO ISSUE A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR ON PERSONS WHO MEET THE REQUISITE CONDITIONS FOR RESTORATION OF SUFFRAGE RIGHTS; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO PRESENTS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER RESTORING THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE SHALL NOT BE DENIED THE RIGHT TO REGISTER TO VOTE BASED ON A CONVICTION OF A DISENFRANCHISING CRIME; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-151, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE CIRCUIT CLERK SHALL KEEP A FILE OF CERTIFIED COPIES OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS RESTORING SUFFRAGE RIGHTS; 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 BY EXECUTIVE ORDER IS NOT DISQUALIFIED FROM REGISTERING TO VOTE; 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 BEEN ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER RESTORING SUFFRAGE RIGHTS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 47-7-31, 47-7-41 AND 47-5-157, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO INVESTIGATE AND ISSUE REGULAR WRITTEN REPORTS TO THE GOVERNOR ON THOSE PERSONS WHO SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR EXECUTIVE PARDON; TO CREATE A SECTION OF LAW TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON GRANTED AN EXECUTIVE PARDON SHALL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE HIS OR HER RECORD EXPUNGED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.