Mississippi’s Republican-controlled Legislature has approved a bill that would require local election officials to verify voters’ citizenship through a federal immigration database and conduct audits of voter rolls for noncitizens. The measure aims to increase election integrity, supporters say, but opponents argue it could suppress eligible voters.
The Senate voted 33-18 along party lines on Monday to concur with the House on the Safeguard Honest Integrity in Elections for Lasting Democracy, or SHIELD, Act. The legislation now heads to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, who has until July 1 to sign or veto the bill.
The bill would mandate county registrars to conduct additional checks during voter registration. If a registrant cannot provide a driver’s license number or if the number does not appear in the Statewide Elections Management System, the registrar would verify their status in the federal SAVE database. If flagged, the registrant would be notified and given an opportunity to submit proof of U.S. citizenship before their registration is denied or canceled.
The legislation also requires the secretary of state’s office to annually compare the statewide voter registration list with the SAVE database. Any matches indicating potential ineligibility would be forwarded to local registrars for verification. Registrars would report annually on the number of voters flagged and removed from rolls.
Supporters, including Senate Elections Chairman Jeremy England, argue the bill helps ensure only U.S. citizens vote. Critics, including Democratic leaders, say it could disenfranchise eligible voters. Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Cheikh Taylor said many Americans lack immediate access to proof of citizenship, which could prevent them from voting. He called the bill a “poll tax” in disguise and urged opposition.
The bill arrives amid federal efforts to tighten election laws and crack down on immigration. Some lawmakers expressed concerns that federal enforcement responsibilities should rest with the federal government and that the legislation could inadvertently harm U.S. citizens. If signed into law, the SHIELD Act would take effect on July 1.
