MS HB358

Restores voting rights to persons disqualified by criminal conviction upon completion of their sentence, defined as incarceration plus five years of probation or parole.

Amends Section 23-15-11 to allow convicted persons who have completed their sentence to register and vote, removing the permanent disenfranchisement based on conviction alone.

Requires the Secretary of State to provide public access via website and phone to lists of disenfranchising crimes and refranchisement criteria, and to work with the Department of Corrections to ensure eligible voters are restored to rolls.

Mandates training for election commissioners and registrars on how to properly register voters with prior convictions who have completed their sentences, with training to begin immediately for 2024 elections.

Prohibits denial of voter registration or voting rights based on conviction of a disenfranchising offense after sentence completion, and establishes that reliance on official determination of eligibility is a complete defense in criminal cases.