MS HB1016

Unopposed municipal candidates in general elections will be declared elected without their names appearing on the ballot, provided they meet all qualifications and have filed required campaign finance disclosure reports

If an election is being held at a precinct for other races, unopposed candidates' names will still appear on the ballot; if no contested races exist at a precinct, the election is dispensed with entirely

Municipal election ballots will only contain names of "opposed candidates" - those facing competition from party nominees or independent candidates who filed qualifying petitions

Independent candidates must still submit petitions signed by at least 50 qualified electors (for municipalities with 1,000+ population) or 15 qualified electors (for smaller municipalities) by the same deadline as primary candidates

Effective date: July 1, 2021