Brian Downing, a law professor at the University of Mississippi, said voters will need clear guidance if stricter rules take effect.
“If states don’t properly educate folks on these new standards, folks are just sending in their ballots too late,” Downing said. “They think they’re doing the right thing or the thing they did in the past. But it turns out that if they send it hours before Election Day, you end up with an uncounted ballot. So it can definitely have an effect on students and others inclined to vote remotely.”
Lily Moens, policy director for Mississippi Votes, said while the state has a small percentage of mail-in voters compared to states like California, many local communities will still be affected by the court's decision.
“We will be in the process of doing voter education and outreach, while also keeping an ear out for people who are affected,” Moens said. “People who were not able to get to the post office until the day before the election and their vote wasn’t counted. We’ll be highlighting the impact on rural and disabled Mississippians who might lack transportation.”
Moens detailed a similar state law, House Bill 908, describing it as a "trigger" if the Supreme Court invalidates Mississippi’s five-day grace period.
“At the administrative level, the secretary of state would have to update all of their literature,” Moens said. “All of their website information and circuit clerks would have to update their information as well to conform with HB 908. Layering that onto preparing for a federal election will be pretty burdensome.”
Yvonne Robinson Horton, chair of the Hinds County Election Commission, suggested that voters plan for transportation to the polls. She said her office will work to assist voters who lack their own transportation.
“I would encourage anyone who can actually go to the precinct to vote, as well as into the circuit clerk’s office itself,” Horton said. “That way, they know for certain that their vote counted.”
Downing explained that the finer details of the court's decision will be critical.
“It is possible the Supreme Court will still buy into a discretion system,” Downing said. “But the more the court restricts these rules, the more the public will have to relearn them. People will have to learn to vote earlier and more carefully because there just won’t be a grace period if our predictions are correct.”
A ruling is expected in late June or early July. Voting experts urge Mississippians to plan ahead, noting that voting in person remains the most reliable way to ensure a ballot is counted this November.
