MS SB2296

Prohibits government and election officials from soliciting or accepting private contributions, donations, or anything of value from non-governmental entities for conducting state or local elections, requiring all election costs to be paid with public funds (federal grants remain permitted)

Bans distribution of absentee ballots or absentee ballot applications to voters who did not specifically request them, and prohibits use of public funds to facilitate such unsolicited distributions

Prohibits state and local government officers and employees from establishing ballot drop boxes or similar receptacles for ballot collection

Requires absentee ballot envelopes to include a hidden space for voters to provide their Mississippi driver's license number or last four digits of their Social Security number for verification purposes

Establishes felony penalties for violations, punishable by 1-10 years imprisonment and/or fines up to $5,000, with an effective date of July 1, 2022