MS HB61

Allows qualified persons to register to vote when applying for issuance, renewal, or change of address for a motor vehicle driver's license or official identification card through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

Requires the Department of Public Safety to collect voter registration information including name, date of birth, residence address, electronic signature, and a written statement under penalty of perjury confirming citizenship, age, residency, and lack of disqualifying felony convictions.

Provides an opt-out procedure allowing applicants to affirmatively decline voter registration; those who decline still have basic information forwarded to the Secretary of State to facilitate future registration attempts.

Requires the Department of Public Safety to forward completed applications to the Secretary of State within five days, who then forwards them to the appropriate county registrar within five days.

Takes effect July 1, 2020, and amends multiple sections of Mississippi Code to recognize driver's license-based voter registration as a valid registration method equivalent to other state registration processes.