MS SB2502

Repeals Mississippi's absentee voting procedures and absentee voter laws (Sections 23-15-621 through 23-15-657 and 23-15-711 through 23-15-721), eliminating absentee voting options for all elections.

Requires manual recount of every election using optical scanners within 30 days and eliminates Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting equipment authorization, restricting elections to optical mark reading equipment or paper ballots.

Mandates circuit clerks preserve all ballots and election information for 48 months after elections and imposes penalties including up to $5,000 in fines and 5 years imprisonment for chain of custody violations.

Authorizes post-election audits by the Secretary of State or county boards of supervisors, conducted by state and local election officials with public observation allowed.

Prohibits emergency declarations from affecting election laws, procedures, dates or schedules without approval from two-thirds of both houses of the Legislature, effective July 1, 2023.