MS HB451

Limits permanent voting disqualification to only those convicted of murder or rape; all other disenfranchising crimes (voter fraud, bribery, theft, arson, perjury, forgery, embezzlement, bigamy, and others listed in Section 241 of the Mississippi Constitution) result in temporary suspension of voting rights

Restores voting rights automatically once a person has satisfied all sentencing requirements including completion of parole, but probation does not prevent restoration of voting rights

Requires circuit clerks to maintain lists of persons whose voting rights have been suspended due to conviction, and mandates automatic restoration of voter registration in the Statewide Elections Management System upon completion of sentencing requirements

Directs election commissioners to receive regular reports identifying voters who have completed their sentences and qualify for automatic voting rights restoration

Takes effect July 1 of the year following certification by the Secretary of State that a related constitutional amendment has passed