Federal Court Blocks Mississippi Voting Law, Protecting Voter Assistance

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

A federal court has granted a request by Disability

Rights Mississippi, the League of Women Voters of Mississippi, and three state voters to block S.B. 2358 — a newly implemented law that significantly diminishes access to the ballot for Mississippians who need assistance with voting.

Under the Court’s order, Mississippi voters who need assistance due to disability, blindness, or inability to read or write may select a person of their choice to assist them with delivering or returning their absentee mail-in ballot.

The Court ruled S.B. 2358 violated Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the state cannot use that law to punish individuals who assist such voters.

The order will apply to the current primary and the upcoming general elections in November.

“Mississippi voters in need of assistance to vote can be assured that their voices will be heard at the ballot box,” said Peg Ciraldo, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Mississippi.

“The League and its members can now continue its critical work to advocate for all voters, especially those who depend on us to return their absentee ballot.” imprisonment of up to one year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $3,000.

But plaintiffs argued that the law is not clear in its definitions, including its definitions of who constitutes a “family member, household member, or caregiver.” voters.

In May, the three plaintiffs sued the State with the help of Disability Rights Mississippi, the Mississippi Center For Justice, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Mississippi and the League of Women Voters of Mississippi.

One of the plaintiffs, William Earl Whitley, a Black disabled U.S. Army Veteran from Okolona, Miss., lost both legs in Vietnam.

“We are pleased that voters with a disability or language barrier can continue receiving assistance with their ballot, the same way that they have in past elections,” Cheung said.

“Rather than making voting harder, Mississippi should pass legislation to expand opportunities for voting so that all citizens can participate in their democracy.”

Mississippians may now continue to assist voters without the fear of prosecution, said Ahmed Soussi, SPLC’s Voting Rights Practice Group staff attorney.