Mississippi ballots have always contained write-in space, but the state has a unique law that says write-ins can not be counted unless one of the candidates whose name is printed on the ballot has died after the ballots were printed, but before election day.

Representative John Mayo (D-Clarksdale) has introduced HB 56, which says that write-ins are generally permitted, without regard to whether any ballot-listed candidate has died. The bill covers write-ins in both primary and general elections.