2015 Mississippi Code
Title 23 - ELECTIONS
Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE
Article 19 - ABSENTEE BALLOTS
C. ABSENTEE VOTER LAW
§ 23-15-719 - Delivery of ballots to applicant; completion of ballots; affidavit; delivery of ballots to registrar

(1) Immediately upon completion of an application filed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of Section 23-15-715, the registrar shall deliver the necessary ballots to the applicant. The registrar shall identify the applicant by requiring him to present identification as required by Section 23-15-563, and shall then deliver the ballots to the applicant by mail or to the applicant in the registrar's office. The registrar shall not personally hand deliver ballots to voters, unless he delivers the ballots in the office of the registrar. The elector shall fill in his ballot in secret. After the applicant has properly marked the ballot and properly folded it, he shall deposit it in the envelope furnished him by the registrar.

After he has sealed the envelope, he shall subscribe and swear to an affidavit in the following form, which shall be printed on the back of the envelope containing the applicant's ballot:

"STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

COUNTY OF

I, , do solemnly swear that this envelope contains the ballot marked by

me indicating my choice of the candidates or propositions to be submitted at

the election to be held on the day of , 2 , and I hereby authorize

the registrar to place this envelope in the ballot box on my behalf, and I

further authorize the election managers to open this envelope and place my

ballot among the other ballots cast before such ballots are counted, and

record my name on the poll list as if I were present in person and voted.

I further swear that I marked the enclosed ballot in secret.

(Signature of voter)

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED before me, , this the day of , 2 .

(Registrar)

(Registrar)"

After the completion of the requirements of this section, the elector shall

deliver the envelope containing the ballot to the registrar.

(2) If the voter has received assistance in marking his ballot, the person

providing the assistance shall complete the following form which shall be

printed on the back of the envelope containing the applicant's ballot:

"CERTIFICATE OF PERSON PROVIDING VOTER ASSISTANCE

(To be completed only if the voter has received assistance in marking the

enclosed ballot.) I hereby certify that the above-named voter declared to me

that he or she is blind, temporarily or permanently physically disabled, or

cannot read or write, and that the voter requested that I assist the voter in

marking the enclosed absentee ballot. I hereby certify that the ballot

preferences on the enclosed ballot are those communicated by the voter to me,

and that I have marked the enclosed ballot in accordance with the voter's

instructions.

Signature of person providing assistance

Printed name of person providing assistance

Address of person providing assistance

Date and time assistance provided

Family relationship to voter (if any)"

(3) The envelope used pursuant to this section shall not contain the form prescribed by Section 23-15-635 and shall have printed on the flap on the back of the envelope in bold print and in a distinguishing color, the following: "YOUR VOTE WILL BE REJECTED AND NOT COUNTED IF THIS ENVELOPE IS NOT SIGNED ACROSS THE FLAP OF THIS ENVELOPE BY YOU AND AN ATTESTING WITNESS."