Page 16

1020

MISSISSIPPI [GENERAL: VOTER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS]

VOTER REGISTRATION The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 contains provisions which made it easier for individuals to register to vote in all elections. Under this Act, all agencies in a state that provide public assistance are designated as a voter registration agency. The following services must be provided by a voter registration agency: 1. Distribution of voter registration application forms and declination forms to applicants/recipients of agency assistance; 2. Assistance in completing voter registration application forms unless the applicant/recipient refuses such assistance; and 3. Acceptance of completed voter application forms for transmittal to the county Circuit Clerk for processing within five days of receipt by the agency. The NVRA prohibits any person providing voter registration services from: 1. Seeking to influence an applicant’s political preference or party registration; 2. Displaying any political preference or party allegiance; 3. Discouraging registration; 4. Implying in any way that the availability of Agency services or eligibility for benefits is dependent upon voter registration; or 5. Disclosing any applicant’s voter registration information except as needed for the administration of NVRA or identifying the agency’s name on the application form. Agency Responsibilities Each voter registration agency must provide each applicant/recipient the opportunity to register to vote or to update a voter registration record by offering the Mississippi Voter Registration Application form and declination form at the time of each: 1. application or reapplication, 2. recertification/reevaluation, and 3. report of change of address. When providing the applicant/recipient the opportunity to register to vote, the applicant must be verbally asked “If you are not registered to vote where you live now, would you like to apply to register to vote here today?”

MISSISSIPPI

[GENERAL: VOTER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS] Revised 03 - 01 - 11