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Bill

HB 859

In-person absentee voting; require use of OMR equipment and establish security measures and procedure to challenge.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Noah Sanford

Mississippi bill requires OMR machines for in-person absentee voting and establishes new security protocols and ballot challenge procedures for early voting.

Referred To Apportionment and Elections
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Bill Summary · HB 859

Legislative bill overview

HB 859 mandates that in-person absentee voting in Mississippi utilize Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) equipment—the same technology used in standard voting machines—rather than hand-marked ballots. The bill also establishes security measures and procedures for challenging absentee ballots cast through this method.

Why this is important

Absentee voting represents a growing share of votes cast nationwide, making the procedures governing it consequential for election administration. This bill directly affects how Mississippi counties process in-person early votes and could influence both ballot security protocols and voter experience during the absentee voting period.

Potential points of contention

  • Equipment costs and implementation: Requiring OMR equipment statewide may impose significant costs on county election offices, potentially affecting smaller jurisdictions disproportionately
  • Voter accessibility: OMR systems may present usability challenges for voters with disabilities compared to hand-marked ballots, raising Americans with Disabilities Act compliance questions
  • Operational complexity: Establishing new security procedures and challenge mechanisms adds administrative burden and could create inconsistent implementation across counties if procedures are unclear

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

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