MS HB244

Authorizes counties and municipalities to hold elections allowing voters to choose between nonpartisan preferential elections or partisan primary elections for local offices, with elections ordered upon petition of at least 10% of qualified voters and held no more than once every two years.

Establishes nonpartisan county and municipal offices where candidates cannot campaign based on party affiliation and political parties are prohibited from fundraising, contributing to, or endorsing candidates for these offices.

Implements a two-round election system: candidates appear on a general election ballot in alphabetical order with no party designation, and if no candidate receives a majority, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff election held three weeks later.

Sets candidate filing fees of $250 for district attorneys and $100 for other county offices, with no candidate denied ballot access due to inability to pay, and requires filing 60 days before general elections.

Makes county election commissioner positions nonpartisan offices and repeals provisions governing municipal primary elections, with conforming amendments to multiple election code sections to be implemented following voter approval in each jurisdiction.