The fight to defend civil rights and liberties in Mississippi has never been more important. Here's what's on our agenda this Legislative Session.
2025 Legislative Priorities
- Protecting Citizens' Right to Have a Voice
- Ballot Initiative Restoration
- Voting Rights Restoration
- Protecting and Preserving Basic Freedoms; Civil Rights Act
- Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community
- Supporting Women and Healthcare Professionals in Reproductive Choices
Protecting Citizens' Right to have a Voice
Voting is a constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression that must be protected—and grown.
- Online voter registration
- No-excuse early voting
- Protection for registered voters
Mississippi is the only state whose citizens lack both online registration and no-excuse early voting. Mississippi voters should not be less free because of where they live, and deserve the convenience and flexibility enjoyed by voters in other states. Voting hurdles hurt our voters and the practice of democracy—the cornerstone of American life.
Ballot Initiative Restoration
The voters deserve an initiative process to protect their interests even if their representative does not.
- A fair ballot initiative process
Mississippi has been without a ballot initiative since 2021 when the state Supreme Court struck down not only the medical marijuana initiative passed by voters, but the entire ballot initiative process. Due to the percentages required for approval, ballot initiatives reflect the broad, bipartisan will of the people. A correction can be as simple as updating the number of districts in the law’s language, but the Legislature’s ongoing neglect to restore voters’ freedom shows a blatant disregard for the voice and free will of our citizens.
Voting Rights Restoration
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A constitutional amendment to end voter disenfranchisement
- Automatic restoration of voting rights once released
Voting is the keystone right for public life. But Mississippi is one of only ten states where voting rights are not automatically restored to people convicted of felonies after completing prison sentences. Our voting laws should support equality for all, especially those seeking to return to community life. Our justice system now continues punishment even after time is served—a key cause of recidivism. Once restitution is paid and the sentence completed, voting rights should be restored.
Protecting and Preserving Basic Freedoms; Civil Rights Act
To change the landscape of Mississippi’s future, we must continue the fight to eradicate discrimination.
- An act that helps protect the Mississippians from discrimination and bias
- Localized support against hateful behavior in public spaces, healthcare facilities, housing, schools, voting places, and businesses
Mississippi and the Civil Rights movement are forever intertwined, the front line of America’s ongoing work to fulfill its highest promise of equal protection against hate. While progress has been made, we are still plagued with the limiting behaviors of individuals and institutions. Every new legislative session is an opportunity to bring Mississippi closer to the highest vision of the Constitution, preserving and bolstering opportunity so that everyone has an equal chance at the pursuit of happiness.
Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community
Every Mississippian deserves freedom from discrimination and hate.
- A safe and fair state that welcomes and respects LGBTQ+ individuals
- Oppose actions that are specifically discriminatory
We know that there will be continued efforts to punish and exclude transgender Mississippians simply for existing. The Religious Liberty Accommodations Act and anti-transgender bathroom bill target transgender people. The ACLU of MS is heavily fighting against any legislation that encourages prejudice. We cannot stand idly by while bullying and discrimination exclude people for living in their free identities.
Supporting Women and Health Care Professionals in Reproductive Choices
Mississippi mothers and health workers deserve security, dignity, and autonomy.
- Adequate and accessible maternal and reproductive healthcare
- Blocking legislation that invades privacy and impedes adequate health care
Following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Mississippi’s reproductive healthcare has become even more inaccessible, unaffordable, and nearly obsolete. With one of the highest maternal mortality rates not just in the United States but across all developed nations, Mississippi is an inherently dangerous place to give birth. Furthering the reproductive health system’s downward spiral, healthcare workers are being attacked with onerous oversight, threatening the support systems that the vulnerable so desperately need.
ACLU of Mississippi will also fight against any further attacks on a person’s right to make reproductive choices and dangerous enforcement of abortion laws. Alongside coalition partners, we will continue the fight to improve Mississippi’s maternal and reproductive healthcare system.