Civil rights groups have accused Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson of violating the state’s election code by shortening the deadline for voters to cure affidavit ballots and county circuit clerks to receive absentee ballots for the Nov. 26 judicial runoff elections.
The cutoff date was set at Dec. 4, four business days after Thanksgiving, despite a five-day deadline allowed under Mississippi law. The groups claim Watson failed to notify voters about the change without providing sufficient notice, particularly during the holiday period when many were unable to access their Circuit Clerk’s office.
Watson has responded with a brief email saying “agree to disagree,” which Attorney Amir Badat described as flippant and dismissive of the issue’s importance. The groups believe this decision undermines voters’ right to participate in elections and are seeking more transparency from Watson’s office.
The Mississippi Supreme Court District 1 runoff remains unresolved, with Republican Sen. Jenifer Branning leading incumbent Justice Jim Kitchens by a narrow margin.
Source: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-wont-count-some-nov-26-runoff-ballots-after-officials-changed-deadlines-civil-rights-groups-warn