MS SB2552

Clarifies that "absent voters" under the Armed Services Absentee Voting Law must be absent from their county of residence to qualify, including military members, Merchant Marine, American Red Cross personnel, disabled war veterans in hospitals, civilians serving abroad with armed forces, citizens temporarily residing outside the U.S., and military academy students

Allows absent voters covered under this law to sign absentee ballot applications using electronic signatures, with the Secretary of State directed to adopt implementing rules

Extends the deadline for military and overseas voters to have absentee ballots received by 7:00 p.m. on election day, rather than 5:00 p.m. the day before the election as required for other absentee voters

Requires the Attorney General to submit the act to the U.S. Attorney General or U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for preclearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965