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MississippiHB 8112025 Regular SessionHouse

Candidate qualifications; revise process for.

Sponsored By: Kevin Felsher (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Apportionment and ElectionsElections

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.

Deadlines for deciding whether candidates qualify

The responsible party committee or Secretary of State must decide candidate qualifications within set periods after the qualifying deadline. The limits are five days for presidential preference primaries, 15 days for federal midterms, and 30 days for statewide elections. These decision periods require receipt of the proper fee and all needed information.

New filing rules for election candidates

The law sets a payment window for specified congressional preference primary assessments covering party, independent, and special-election candidates. Payment opens December 1 of the year before the election and closes at 5:00 p.m., 75 days before the primary. Candidates using the covered fee-based qualification process must also submit an affidavit under penalty of perjury. It must list their name, physical home address, party affiliation if applicable, phone number, email if any, and office sought. Candidates must certify that they meet all qualifications for that office.

Outside votes can bar election candidates

Candidates cannot appear on the ballot if they voted outside the area they seek to represent during its required residency period. An exception applies when candidates were properly registered for that election and later placed inside the area by redistricting.

Party committees face late paperwork fines

State party executive committees must transmit required candidate statements, documents, and accompanying fees by 6:00 p.m. on the qualifying deadline. The Secretary of State assesses $500 for each late item. Total fines cannot exceed $2,500 per committee for one qualifying deadline. Collected fines go to the Elections Support Fund.

Tight deadlines for candidate court challenges

Challenges to party-primary candidate qualifications, including disqualifications, must reach circuit court within 10 days after the qualifying body's decision. Filing must be in the county where the candidate lives, as listed in the candidate's affidavit. The petition must state the specific grounds, and the judge hears the case afresh without a jury. The challenger must provide a $300 cost bond backed by at least two sufficient guarantors. Appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court must be filed within three days after judgment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kevin Felsher

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Shanda Yates

    Independent • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 263 • No: 62

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 39 • No: 10

House vote • 4/1/2025

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 91 • No: 23 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/11/2025

Passed

Yes: 82 • No: 29 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/23/2025legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/7/2025Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/7/2025House

  4. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    4/3/2025Senate

  5. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    4/2/2025House

  6. Motion to Reconsider Entered

    4/1/2025Senate

  7. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2025Senate

  8. Motion to Reconsider Entered (Summers, Sanford, Tullos)

    4/1/2025House

  9. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2025House

  10. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2025House

  11. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2025Senate

  12. Conferees Named England,Blackwell,Fillingane

    3/26/2025Senate

  13. Conferees Named Sanford,Tullos,Yates

    3/25/2025House

  14. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/20/2025House

  15. Returned For Concurrence

    3/14/2025Senate

  16. Passed As Amended

    3/11/2025Senate

  17. Amended

    3/11/2025Senate

  18. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/4/2025Senate

  19. Referred To Elections

    2/14/2025Senate

  20. Transmitted To Senate

    2/12/2025House

  21. Passed

    2/11/2025House

  22. Title Suff Do Pass

    1/30/2025House

  23. Referred To Apportionment and Elections

    1/16/2025House

Bill Text

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