Magnolia Tribune: “On May 31st, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Mississippi Center for Justice, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Mississippi, and Disability Rights Mississippi (DRMS) filed a federal lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 2358, a new law that bans ballot harvesting in the state of Mississippi. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2023.
Ballot harvesting is the practice of a third-party picking up or collecting a voter’s absentee ballot and delivering it to a polling place, a drop box, or a clerk’s office. This is often performed by political operatives or organizations and has been more widely seen in other states. Opponents say this practice can lend itself to election fraud and advocate for laws surrounding such activities to be tightened….
The case challenging S.B. 2358 was filed on behalf of DRMS, the League of Women Voters of Mississippi and three individual Mississippi voters. The lawsuit claims that the legislation violates the right of Mississippians with disabilities to receive assistance in voting from the person of their choice, as recognized in Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act.
Ahmed Soussi, Staff Attorney for Voting Rights with the SPLC, said anti-voter politicians are trying to deny a fair voice in government to Mississippians with disabilities while criminalizing their friends and neighbors who want to help them deliver absentee ballots.
“This bill would diminish American democracy by punishing volunteers who facilitate voting for historically discriminated against communities,” Soussi said.
Joshua Tom, Legal Director at the ACLU of Mississippi, said the bill is the latest in a long history of attacks on the right to vote in Mississippi while Rob McDuff, Director of the George Riley Impact Litigation Initiative at the Mississippi Center for Justice, said Mississippians deserve to vote with confidence.
“Many people in difficult situations rely on friends and neighbors to help deliver absentee ballots. This legislation would prevent that,” McDuff added. “We stand with the voters of Mississippi and with those who strive to make voting more accessible and ensure the power remains with the people.””