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SB 3405

Suffrage; restore to Ray Gillespie.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rod Hickman

Restores Ray Gillespie’s Mississippi voting rights fully to electorship, reversing prior disqualification tied to an armed robbery conviction, effective July 1, 2026.

Died In Committee
#judiciary #divisionb
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Bill Summary · SB 3405

Summary of Senate Bill 3405 (Session 2026, Mississippi)

Purpose

  • Restore the right of suffrage (the right to vote) to Ray Gillespie of Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, who was previously disqualified due to a conviction for armed robbery in Oktibbeha County.
  • The bill notes that the Mississippi Department of Corrections could not locate records for Gillespie and that he has since lived as a law-abiding citizen.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: The right of suffrage is “fully and completely restored” to Ray Gillespie. The restoration applies specifically to his status as an elector in Mississippi, reversing the prior disqualification tied to his armed robbery conviction.
  • The Department of Corrections’ records search is cited as part of the justification, indicating no existing records for Gillespie.
  • The section also states that Gillespie has conducted himself as a law-abiding and honorable citizen since the conviction.
  • Section 2: Effective date. The act takes effect on and after July 1, 2026.

Who/What is Affected

  • Individual: Ray Gillespie of Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. The bill directly restores his voting rights.
  • Broader Implication: Sets a precedent for restoring voting rights to individuals after a conviction, though the bill as written applies specifically to Gillespie.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Legislative history:
    • Referred to Judiciary, Division B on March 13, 2026.
    • Died in Committee on April 15, 2026 (i.e., did not advance to the Senate floor for a vote in this session).
  • Effective date: If enacted, the restoration would take effect July 1, 2026.
  • Sponsor: Senator Rod Hickman (co-sponsor).

Notes and Context

  • The bill’s language is narrowly tailored to an individual (Ray Gillespie) rather than a general rule for restoring voting rights to a class of individuals.
  • As the bill died in committee, it did not become law this session. If reintroduced, the same or similar content would require passage by both chambers and assent by the governor to take effect.

Practical Impact (If Enacted)

  • Upon enactment, Gillespie’s right to vote would be restored, removing any disqualification associated with his armed robbery conviction, pending any other legal or administrative constraints.
  • The restoration would be retroactive only to the extent specified by the act’s text, with an operative date of July 1, 2026.

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

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