Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB908: Absentee ballots; require receipt day before federal election if U.S. Supreme Court rules federal laws preempt state.
Status: Signed into law, March 19, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-631, 23-15-637, 23-15-639, 23-15-651 AND 23-15-721, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL ABSENTEE BALLOTS TO BE RECEIVED BY THE DAY BEFORE AN ELECTION THAT INCLUDES A FEDERAL OFFICE IF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DETERMINES THAT STATE LAWS GOVERNING ABSENTEE AND MAIL-IN BALLOTS ARE PREEMPTED BY FEDERAL LAW AS TO FEDERAL ELECTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to amend sections 23-15-631, 23-15-637, 23-15-639, 23-15-651 and 23-15-721, mississippi code of 1972, to require all absentee ballots to be received by the day before an election that includes a federal office if the united states supreme court determines that state laws governing absentee and mail-in ballots are preempted by federal law as to federal elections; and for related purposes.
From the enrolled text, March 12, 2026:
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-631, 23-15-637, 23-15-639, 23-15-651 AND 23-15-721, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL ABSENTEE BALLOTS TO BE RECEIVED BY THE DAY BEFORE AN ELECTION THAT INCLUDES A FEDERAL OFFICE IF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DETERMINES THAT STATE LAWS GOVERNING ABSENTEE AND MAIL-IN BALLOTS ARE PREEMPTED BY FEDERAL LAW AS TO FEDERAL ELECTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 23-15-631, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: [Until the date on which the State Attorney General determines and publishes in the administrative bulletin published by the Secretary of State that the United States Supreme Court has made a determination that state laws governing absentee and mail-in ballots are preempted by federal law, this section will read as follows:] 23-15-631. (1) The registrar shall enclose with each ballot mailed to an absent elector separate printed instructions furnished by the registrar containing the following: *HR43/R1773* H. B. No. 908 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR43/R1773 PAGE 1 (RKM\KP) (a) All absentee voters, excepting those with temporary or permanent physical disabilities or those who are sixty-five (65) years of age or older, who mark their ballots in the county of the residence shall use the registrar of that county as the witness. The absentee voter shall …
Sponsors
- Sanford, Noah (R, 90) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by Governor
- : Enrolled Bill Signed
- : Returned For Enrolling
- : Motion to Reconsider Tabled
- : Motion to Reconsider Entered
- : Passed
- : Title Suff Do Pass
- : Referred To Elections
- : Transmitted To Senate
- : Passed
Votes
- Passed (March 10, 2026): 31 yea, 13 nay, passed
- Passed (February 4, 2026): 89 yea, 28 nay, passed
Subjects: Absentee ballots
Common questions
- What is HB908?
- HB908 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Absentee ballots; require receipt day before federal election if U.S. Supreme Court rules federal laws preempt state.
- What does HB908 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend sections 23-15-631, 23-15-637, 23-15-639, 23-15-651 and 23-15-721, mississippi code of 1972, to require all absentee ballots to be received by the day before an election that includes a federal office if the united states supreme court determines that state laws governing absentee and mail-in ballots are preempted by federal law as to federal elections; and for related purposes.
- What is the status of HB908?
- Signed into law as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: Approved by Governor (March 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB908?
- Sanford, Noah (R, 90).
- Where is the official record for HB908?
- On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0908.xml
Source: official Mississippi record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.