Mississippi can’t restrict absentee voting assistance this year, US judge says as he blocks law

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS
Associated Press

A federal judge is blocking a new Mississippi law that would set criminal penalties for some people who help others with absentee voting.

The ruling comes as absentee ballots are already available for next month’s party primaries for governor and other state offices. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate wrote in his order Tuesday that Mississippi cannot enforce the law during this year’s primaries or general election.

He wrote that the state law violates the Voting Rights Act. The federal law says any voter who is blind, disabled or unable to read may receive assistance “by a person of the voter’s choice,” other than the voter’s employer or union.