§ Miss. Code § 23-15-477Opening and closing polls; instructing voters; spoiled ballots

Not less than thirty (30) minutes before the opening of the polls, the voting precinct election
officers shall arrive at the polling place and set up the voting booths so that they will be in clear
view of the election officers; open the voting devices, place them in the voting booths, and
examine them to see that they have the correct ballot labels by comparing them with the sample
ballots, and are in proper working order; and open and check the ballots, ballot cards, supplies,
records and forms, and post the sample ballots and instructions to voters. Each voter shall be
instructed how to operate the voting device before he enters the voting booth. If he needs
additional instruction after entering the voting booth, two (2) election officers may, if necessary,
enter the booth and give him such additional instructions. Any voter who spoils his ballot or
ballot card may return it and secure another. The word "SPOILED" shall be written across the
face of the ballot and it shall be placed in the envelope for spoiled ballots. If ballot cards are
used, the voter, after he has marked his ballot card, shall remove the stub in the presence of the
election officer, and deposit the ballot card inside the ballot box. No ballot from which the stub
has been detached without the presence of the election officer shall be accepted by the judge in
charge of the ballot box, but it shall be marked "SPOILED" and placed with the spoiled ballots.
As soon as the polls have been closed and the last qualified voter has voted, the voting devices
shall be sealed against further voting. All unused ballots or ballot cards shall be placed in a
container which shall be sealed and returned to the officials in charge of the election.