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HB 168

Absentee voting; extend time allowed on Saturdays to 5:00 p.m.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Omeria Scott

Mississippi bill extends Saturday absentee voting hours to 5:00 p.m. to improve access for working voters; died in committee.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 168

Legislative bill overview

HB 168 would extend Saturday absentee voting hours in Mississippi, allowing polls to remain open until 5:00 p.m. instead of an earlier closing time. The bill was introduced by Rep. Omeria Scott but died in the Apportionment and Elections Committee in February 2025.

Why is this important

Absentee voting access directly affects voter participation, particularly for working people and those with transportation challenges who may struggle to vote during standard weekday hours. Extended Saturday hours could remove barriers for eligible voters who cannot take time off work or access polling locations on weekdays.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and staffing: Extending voting hours requires additional poll worker compensation and logistics, with fiscal implications that committees may have considered prohibitive
  • Election administration burden: Counties would need to staff additional hours on Saturdays, which some officials argue strains already-limited election resources
  • Philosophical disagreement: Some lawmakers may question whether extended hours are necessary given existing absentee voting options (mail-in ballots, early in-person voting) already available in many jurisdictions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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