Early voting; require Secretary of State to authorize for overseas military.

HB 857 requires Mississippi's Secretary of State to create rules enabling military personnel and overseas voters to vote early for all elections, including special elections and runoffs. This bill directly affects Mississippi residents serving in the military overseas by expanding their access to early voting, which previously may not have been uniformly available. Key provisions include establishing electronic delivery options (email or fax) for ballots and materials, aligning Mississippi's process with federal requirements under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. The bill mandates that registrars accept electronically submitted ballots and federal postcard applications, streamlining the voting process for military voters. It takes effect July 1, 2026.