HB 119 Summary

• Permits write-in candidates in general elections for county, county district, state, state district, and federal offices, requiring filing of affidavit and payment of filing fee with circuit clerk or Secretary of State by 5:00 p.m. on the second Friday before the general election.

• Requires election commissioners to verify write-in candidates are qualified electors, meet all office qualifications, and have no disqualifying felony convictions before allowing candidacy.

• Prohibits candidates who lost in a primary election from qualifying as write-in candidates for the same office and prevents individuals from qualifying as write-in candidates for multiple offices on the same election day.

• Allows write-in candidates to withdraw candidacy up to five days before the general election and requires their names appear on official runoff ballots if they receive sufficient votes.

• Applies all Mississippi Election Code provisions to write-in candidates identically to other qualified candidates, including campaign finance laws and penalties for violations.