MS HB1081

Adds qualified electors who are detained before trial but not convicted as eligible to vote by absentee ballot if they will be detained during polling hours on election day.

Allows detained pre-trial electors to obtain absentee ballots by mail within 45 days of an election without requiring notarization, instead requiring only a witness aged 18 or older to sign the application.

Exempts detained pre-trial electors from the requirement that most absentee voters use the county registrar as their attesting witness, allowing any person aged 18 or older to serve as witness.

Updates absentee ballot application forms to include a new checkbox option for voters detained before trial and modifies witness certification sections to accommodate this category of voter.

Takes effect July 1, 2021.