MS SB2582

State executive committees of each political party may set entry fees for candidates running for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Auditor of Public Accounts, Commissioner of Insurance, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, State Highway Commissioner, State Public Service Commissioner, State Senator, State Representative, United States Senator, and United States Representative, not to exceed the average of entry fees in the Southeastern United States (excluding Arkansas).

Party state executive committees may only adjust entry fees for each office once every two years and must report fees to the Secretary of State at least 90 days before the qualifying deadline; failure to meet the deadline results in no entry fee for that office in that election cycle.

Independent and special election candidates must pay filing fees equal to one percent (1%) of the annual salary for statewide and federal offices; fees for district attorneys remain $250 and fees for county-level offices remain $100.

The Secretary of State must publish all candidate entry fees at least 45 days before qualifying deadlines and shall promulgate rules to administer and enforce the filing fee requirements.

The act takes effect July 1, 2021.