JACKSON, Miss.—Mississippi could have an early voting period that begins 15 days before an election under a bill the state Senate passed on Feb. 12, 2025.
Under Senate Bill 2654, voters would not need approval or an excuse to vote early and could cast ballots early until noon on the Saturday before an election. The Mississippi Senate passed a bill with the same language in 2024, but it died in the House.
S.B. 2654 would replace in-person absentee voting that begins 45 days before an election. Mississippians still could vote absentee via mail-in ballots, the bill says.
Mississippi is one of three states that does not have early voting. The bill’s author, Sen. Jeremy England, R-Vancleave, said one reason he wants to establish early voting is because many Mississippians have expressed confusion about not being able to vote early like residents of other states can.
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“It allows them to not have an excuse. So your shift worker who may get called into work may not know (ahead of time) that they have to work on that Tuesday (Election Day),” England said on the Senate floor on Feb. 11.
During a Senate Elections Committee meeting on Jan. 30, Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, raised concerns about county circuit clerks’ offices dealing with long lines for early voting since in-person absentee voting 45 days ahead of the election already has long wait times in some places. England said he consulted several clerks when writing his bill.
“Even if there are long lines, it’s going to be an easier process for voters and for the clerks’ offices,” he said at that meeting.
S.B. 2654 had bipartisan support from the Mississippi Senate, which passed the bill on Feb. 11 by a 39-12 vote. It heads to the House for consideration.
Reeves, McDaniel Criticize England for Early-Voting Bill
After the Senate passed the bill, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves criticized England for supporting early voting, seemingly questioning the Coast senator’s commitment to the Republican Party. The GOP governor said England