Absentee ballot rule change allows voters to correct an error

One change in the absentee ballot process will allow voters to “cure,” or correct an issue of mismatched signatures.

Previously, when a signature on the ballot did not exactly match the one on the ballot application, the ballot would not be counted. Now, due to recent Mississippi legislation (House Bills 1521 and 824) that authorized the Secretary of State’s Office to develop administrative rules with regard to absentee voting and polling place safety, voters with mismatched signatures will be notified, and they will have 10 days to correct the issue and still have their vote count.

The newly adopted rules also provide regulations concerning safety for in person voting. Secretary of State Michael Watson said his office will continue to work with county election officials to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure it is as safe as possible to vote in person on Election Day.