SB 2291 Summary

• Establishes six county offices as nonpartisan: chancery clerk, circuit clerk, tax assessor, tax collector, county surveyor, and county coroner, prohibiting candidates from campaigning based on party affiliation or accepting contributions from political parties.

• Requires candidates for these nonpartisan offices to file intent and pay $100 fee to the circuit clerk at least 60 days before the general election, with a hardship waiver available for those unable to pay.

• Creates a "preferential county election" process where if multiple candidates qualify, all names appear on the general election ballot in alphabetical order without party designation; if no candidate receives a majority, the top two advance to a runoff three weeks later.

• Removes nonpartisan county offices from party primary nomination fee requirements previously listed in state election code, with candidates no longer required to pay party nomination fees.

• Applies effective July 1, 2022, and amends multiple sections of Mississippi election law to accommodate the new nonpartisan election system.