Senate Bill 2671 Summary

• Abolishes partisan primary elections and replaces them with "preferential elections" open to all qualified voters regardless of party affiliation, held three weeks before general elections.

• When only one candidate qualifies for an office, that candidate's name goes directly on the general election ballot; when multiple candidates qualify, a preferential election determines which candidates advance to the general election.

• In preferential elections, a candidate receiving a majority of votes advances alone to the general election; if no majority winner exists, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election.

• Candidates must qualify by filing intent and paying fees 60 days before the general election (ranging from $10 for municipal offices to $300 for Governor and U.S. Senator) with the appropriate executive committee or election commission.

• Repeals all sections of Mississippi Code relating to partisan primary elections, including primary election dates, candidate qualification procedures, executive committee duties, and primary election contests.