MS HC25

Amends Section 253 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 to automatically restore voting rights to persons disqualified by nonviolent crimes after 5 years from completion of sentence, probation, and/or restitution payment.

Maintains existing requirement that restoration of voting rights for persons convicted of violent crimes requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature, with reasons recorded in journals.

Proposed amendment to be submitted to qualified electors on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2023.

Ballot explanation states the amendment provides automatic suffrage restoration for nonviolent crime convictions after the 5-year waiting period, while violent crime convictions remain subject to legislative approval.