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MississippiSB 25882026 Regular SessionSenate

Safeguard Honesty Integrity in Elections for Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act; create.

Sponsored By: Jeremy England (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Apportionment and ElectionsAccountability, Efficiency, TransparencyElections

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

New citizenship checks when you register

When you apply to register, the registrar enters your information and checks it against driver’s license records. If those records show you are not a U.S. citizen, or you did not give a license number and the system cannot find one, you are treated as a possible noncitizen. The registrar must then check your information through the federal immigration status database. If both sources say you are not a citizen, the registrar mails you a notice. You must send proof of citizenship within 30 days. Acceptable proof includes a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization papers (a naturalization number must be verified). If you provide proof and meet other qualifications, the registrar registers you. These steps apply beginning July 1, 2026.

Pending status and affidavit ballot rules

If you do not respond or show proof, the registrar marks you “PENDING” until the next federal general election. You may vote by affidavit ballot while pending. Your ballot is considered only if you give the registrar the required proof within five days. If you still do not respond or vote by affidavit and provide proof by the day after the second federal general election after your notice, the registrar marks you “REJECTED.” These rules take effect July 1, 2026.

Statewide driver’s license and immigration checks

The Secretary of State compares the statewide voter list to the driver’s license database; the statute sets a January 1, 2025 deadline for that comparison. Beginning July 1, 2026, the state also runs a yearly check of voter records against the federal immigration status database no later than 180 days before a regular federal general election. The Secretary sends possible ineligible matches to local election commissioners, who must send notices and place voters in pending status until proof of citizenship is provided. County registrars and the Secretary file annual reports with counts flagged and removed, and recommendations to improve the process.

Limits on removals and data privacy

Starting July 1, 2026, a match in the federal immigration database alone cannot remove a voter. Removal can happen only if the voter does not answer the notice or ineligibility is confirmed. No removals based on those matches occur during the 90 days before a federal election. Documents used to prove citizenship and related records are confidential and not open under the Mississippi Public Records Act. Officials must use data from these checks in line with privacy laws and protect personally identifiable information.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jeremy England

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Michael McLendon

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 74

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

Concurred in Amend From House

Yes: 31 • No: 16

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 80 • No: 41

Senate vote • 2/5/2026

Passed

Yes: 33 • No: 17

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/1/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/26/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/26/2026Senate

  4. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    3/25/2026Senate

  5. Motion to Reconsider Entered

    3/24/2026Senate

  6. Concurred in Amend From House

    3/23/2026Senate

  7. Decline Concur/Inv Conf Lost

    3/23/2026Senate

  8. Returned For Concurrence

    3/11/2026House

  9. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    3/11/2026House

  10. Motion to Reconsider Entered (Johnson, Sanford, Tullos)

    3/4/2026House

  11. Passed As Amended

    3/4/2026House

  12. Amended

    3/4/2026House

  13. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/3/2026House

  14. DR - TSDPAA: AC To AE

    3/3/2026House

  15. DR - TSDPAA: AE To AC

    2/26/2026House

  16. Referred To Apportionment and Elections;Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

    2/13/2026House

  17. Transmitted To House

    2/9/2026Senate

  18. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    2/9/2026Senate

  19. Motion to Reconsider Entered

    2/5/2026Senate

  20. Passed

    2/5/2026Senate

  21. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/5/2026Senate

  22. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    1/29/2026Senate

  23. Referred To Elections

    1/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

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