Mississippi Statutes § 23-15-553 Ballots not to be removed before close of polls; procedure regarding spoiled ballots when polls close

A person shall not take or remove any ballot from the polling place before the close of the polls. If any voter spoils a ballot he or she may obtain others, one (1) at a time, not exceeding three (3) in all, upon returning each spoiled ballot. The word "SPOILED" shall be written across the face of the ballot and each ballot shall be deposited into the sealed ballot box. When the polls have closed upon the casting of the last ballot or 7:00 p.m., whichever is later, and the poll managers break the seal on the ballot box to begin closing procedures, those ballots marked as "SPOILED" shall be bundled together and placed in a separate strong envelope provided for spoiled ballots. The envelope containing all spoiled ballots shall be sealed in the ballot box once the poll managers have completed the closing procedures and returned the materials to the officials in charge of the election.