MS HB336

Abolishes partisan primary elections and replaces them with "preferential elections" open to all qualified voters regardless of party affiliation, effective July 1, 2018.

Establishes two-election system: A preferential election held three weeks before the general election determines which candidates advance; candidates receiving a majority proceed alone to the general election, or the top two candidates advance if no majority is achieved.

Modifies candidate qualification procedures: Candidates file intent and pay fees 60 days before the general election with appropriate election commissions or party executive committees; fees range from $10 (municipal) to $1,000 (governor/U.S. senator).

Changes ballot structure: All candidates listed alphabetically with party affiliation noted in parentheses; removes party-specific primary procedures and eliminates runoff elections in favor of the preferential election system.

Repeals multiple sections related to party primary elections, executive committee duties, primary election contests, and congressional primary timing; amends 57 existing code sections to replace "primary" with "preferential election" throughout election law.