House Bill 118 Summary

• Requires voters needing assistance due to blindness, disability, or inability to read or write at non-federal elections to be assisted by at least two election officials if they request official help.

• Allows non-official assisters at non-federal elections only if they are registered voters and not the voter's employer, union representative, candidate, candidate's family member, or poll watcher for a candidate.

• Limits non-election officials to assisting no more than 10 voters per election (including absentee ballots), and requires them to complete and swear to a declaration form detailing their qualifications and neutrality.

• Requires declaration forms to include notice that vote fraud penalties are up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 fine under Mississippi Code Section 23-15-753.

• Adds vote fraud penalty information to the absentee ballot "Certificate of Person Providing Voter Assistance" form printed on ballot envelopes.