reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 35 - POLITICAL PARTIES (§§ 23-15-1051 — 23-15-1069) › Section 23-15-1061 - Affidavit to accompany applications for registration; registration on behalf of district and county executive committees; proof of compliance with laws

(1)
The application for registration of the political party and any officially sanctioned organizations named to be presented to the Secretary of State shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the chair or secretary of the political party seeking the registration. The affidavit shall contain a list of the names of the members of the State Executive Committee, showing the chair and secretary, the names of the national committeeman and committeewoman, and the officers of the party, setting forth that the executive committee and other officers of the party have been elected in accordance with the provisions of Section
23-15-1053
, or any laws supplementary or amendatory thereof. The Secretary of State is authorized to require further proof as to the compliance with the provisions of Section
23-15-1053
when it is reasonable to do so.
(2)
The chair or secretary of the district and county executive committees of each political party, chosen as provided in Section
23-15-1053
, shall register the name of the political party it represents with the chair or secretary of the State Executive Committee of that political party within thirty (30) days after December 31, 2017. The application for registration shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the chair or secretary of the party seeking such registration listing the names of the members of the district executive committee and of the State Executive Committee, showing the chair and secretary and other officers of the party, setting forth that the executive committee of the party has been elected in accordance with the provisions of Section
23-15-1053
, or any laws supplementary or amendatory thereof. The chair or the secretary of the State Executive Committee is authorized to require further proof of compliance with the provisions of Section
23-15-1053
when it is reasonable to do so. Thereafter, no political party shall use or register any name that is the same as or deceptively similar to the name of a political party or officially sanctioned organization that has already been registered with the chair or secretary of the State Executive Committee by any other political party. No political party or officially sanctioned organization shall use any name in any campaign literature listing or describing its candidates that does not correspond with the name of the political party or officially sanctioned organization registered with the secretary or chair of the State Executive Committee.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-1-7 [Codes, 1942, § 3107-02; Laws, 1950, ch. 458, § 2; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 331]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 315, eff. 1/1/1987.
Amended by Laws, 2017, ch. 441, HB 467, 167, eff. 7/1/2017.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 35 - POLITICAL PARTIES (§§ 23-15-1051 — 23-15-1069) › Section 23-15-1063 - Prohibition against participation in elections or primaries by political parties not duly organized and registered

No political party in the State of Mississippi shall conduct primaries or enter candidates in any election unless the party has been duly organized under the provisions of this chapter, and the name of the party has been registered as provided in this chapter.
Derived from § 3107-03 [Laws, 1950, ch. 458, § 3; repealed by Laws, 1970, ch. 506, § 33, and 1986, ch. 495, § 345]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 316, eff. 1/1/1987.
Amended by Laws, 2017, ch. 441, HB 467, 168, eff. 7/1/2017.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 35 - POLITICAL PARTIES (§§ 23-15-1051 — 23-15-1069) › Section 23-15-1065 - Misrepresentation as to office in, or nomination by, political party; penalties

A person shall be barred from participating in any primary election held by a political party if that person claims or represents himself or herself in any manner to be a member of any state, district or county executive committee of any political party in this state, or claims to be the national committeeman or national committeewoman or any other officer or representative of the political party without having been lawfully elected or chosen as such in the manner provided by the laws of this state, or by the political party in the manner provided by the laws of this state, or claims to be the nominee of any political party authorized by the laws of this state to hold primary elections and choose party nominees, when in fact such person has not been declared the nominee of such political party for such office by such political party operating under the laws of this state. Any person or persons who violate the provisions of this section, in addition to other measures or penalties provided by law, may be enjoined therefrom upon application to the courts by any person or persons, or any political party, official or representative of the political party aggrieved.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-1-9 [Codes, 1942, § 3107-04; Laws, 1950, ch. 458, § 4; Laws, 1970, ch. 506, § 1; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 331]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 317, eff. 1/1/1987.
Amended by Laws, 2017, ch. 441, HB 467, 169, eff. 7/1/2017.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 35 - POLITICAL PARTIES (§§ 23-15-1051 — 23-15-1069) › Section 23-15-1067 - General prohibitions; injunctions

It shall be unlawful for any person or group of persons to set up or establish any political party in this state except in the manner provided by the laws of this state, and it shall be unlawful for any person or group of persons not lawful members of a political party to use, attempt to use or to operate under the name of any other political party lawfully existing and operating under the laws of this state. Any person or persons violating this section, in addition to such other measures or penalties provided by law, may be enjoined therefrom upon application to the courts by any person, or persons, or any political party, official or representative of the political party aggrieved.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-1-11 [Codes, 1942, § 3107-06; Laws, 1950, ch. 458, § 6; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 331]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 318, eff. 1/1/1987.
Amended by Laws, 2017, ch. 441, HB 467, 170, eff. 7/1/2017.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 35 - POLITICAL PARTIES (§§ 23-15-1051 — 23-15-1069) › Section 23-15-1069 - Provisions applicable to all registered political parties

The provisions of Sections
23-15-771
and
23-15-1053
shall be applicable to all political parties registered pursuant to Sections
23-15-1059
and
23-15-1061
.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-1-15 [Codes, 1942, § 3107-11; Laws, 1963, 1st Ex Sess ch. 32, § 1; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 331]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 319, eff. 1/1/1987.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 37 - MISSISSIPPI PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY AND DELEGATE SELECTION (§§ 23-15-1081 — 23-15-1097) › Section 23-15-1081 - Presidential preference primaries; electors to vote in primary of only one party

A presidential preference primary may be held on the second Tuesday in March of each year in which a President of the United States is to be elected. Each political party which has cast for its candidates for President and Vice President in the previous presidential election more than twenty percent (20%) of the total vote cast for President and Vice President in the state, may conduct a presidential preference primary. No elector shall vote in the primary of more than one (1) political party in the same presidential preference primary.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-13-3 [Laws, 1986, ch. 484, § 2; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 348]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 320, eff. 1/1/1987.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 37 - MISSISSIPPI PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY AND DELEGATE SELECTION (§§ 23-15-1081 — 23-15-1097) › Section 23-15-1083 - [Effective Until 1/1/2025] Presidential preference primaries and first congressional primaries to be held on same day; second congressional primaries to be held three weeks thereafter

Beginning in 1988, as an alternative to the congressional primary election date set forth in Section
23-15-1031
, when a political party elects to conduct a presidential preference primary, the first primary election for congressmen, and senators, if senators are to be elected, shall be held on the second Tuesday in March, and the second primary, when one is necessary, shall be held three (3) weeks thereafter, and the election shall be held in all districts of the state on the same day.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-13-5 [Laws, 1986, ch. 484, § 3; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 348]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 321, eff. 1/1/1987.
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 37 - MISSISSIPPI PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY AND DELEGATE SELECTION (§§ 23-15-1081 — 23-15-1097) › Section 23-15-1083 - [Effective 1/1/2025] Presidential preference primaries and first congressional primaries to be held on same day; second congressional primaries to be held three weeks thereafter

Beginning in 1988, as an alternative to the congressional primary election date set forth in Section
23-15-1031
, when a political party elects to conduct a presidential preference primary, the first primary election for congressmen, and senators, if senators are to be elected, shall be held on the second Tuesday in March, and the second primary, when one is necessary, shall be held four (4) weeks thereafter, and the election shall be held in all districts of the state on the same day.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-13-5 [Laws, 1986, ch. 484, § 3; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 348]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 321, eff. 1/1/1987.
Amended by Laws, 2024, ch. 513, SB 2144,§ 7, eff. 1/1/2025.
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 37 - MISSISSIPPI PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY AND DELEGATE SELECTION (§§ 23-15-1081 — 23-15-1097) › Section 23-15-1085 - Notice of party's intention to hold presidential preference primary; issuance of proclamation by Secretary of State

The chairman of a party's State Executive Committee shall notify the Secretary of State if the party intends to hold a presidential preference primary. The Secretary of State shall be notified prior to December 1 of the year preceding the year in which a presidential preference primary may be held pursuant to Section
23-15-1081
. Upon such notification, the Secretary of State shall issue a proclamation setting every party's congressional and senatorial primary elections that are to be held in the year in which the presidential preference primary is to be held on the date provided for in Section
23-15-1083
. Once the Secretary of State has issued a proclamation pursuant to this section, the date of the congressional and senatorial primary elections shall not be changed.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-13-7 [Laws, 1986, ch. 484, § 4; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 348]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 322, eff. 1/1/1987.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 37 - MISSISSIPPI PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY AND DELEGATE SELECTION (§§ 23-15-1081 — 23-15-1097) › Section 23-15-1087 - Applicability of law regulating primary and general elections

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the laws regulating primary and general elections shall in so far as practical apply to and govern presidential preference primary elections.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-13-9 [Laws, 1986, ch. 484, § 5; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 348]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 323, eff. 1/1/1987.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 37 - MISSISSIPPI PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY AND DELEGATE SELECTION (§§ 23-15-1081 — 23-15-1097) › Section 23-15-1089 - Candidates whose names shall be placed on ballot; announcement of names by Secretary of State

The Secretary of State shall place the name of a candidate upon the presidential preference primary ballot when the Secretary of State shall have determined that such a candidate is qualified under Section
23-15-1093
.
On or after January 15 immediately preceding a presidential preference primary election the Secretary of State shall publicly announce and distribute to the news media for publication a list of the candidates he intends to place on the ballot at the following presidential preference primary election. Following this announcement he shall not add candidates to his selection, and he shall not delete any candidate whose name appears on the announced list, unless the candidate dies or has withdrawn as a candidate as provided in this chapter.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-13-11 [Laws, 1986, ch. 484, § 6; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 348]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 324, eff. 1/1/1987.
Amended by Laws, 2016, ch. 380, SB 2167, 5, eff. 7/1/2016.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 37 - MISSISSIPPI PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY AND DELEGATE SELECTION (§§ 23-15-1081 — 23-15-1097) › Section 23-15-1091 - Notification of candidates by Secretary of State

When the Secretary of State places the name of a candidate on the ballot pursuant to Section
23-15-1093
, he shall notify the candidate that his name will appear on the ballot of this state in the presidential preference primary election.
The secretary shall also notify the candidate that he may withdraw his name from the ballot by filing with the Secretary of State an affidavit pursuant to Section
23-15-1095
no later than the sixtieth day before that election.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-13-13 [Laws, 1986, ch. 484, § 7; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 348]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 325, eff. 1/1/1987.
Amended by Laws, 2016, ch. 380, SB 2167, 6, eff. 7/1/2016.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 37 - MISSISSIPPI PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY AND DELEGATE SELECTION (§§ 23-15-1081 — 23-15-1097) › Section 23-15-1095 - Withdrawal of candidate

A candidate's name shall be printed on the appropriate primary ballot unless he or she submits to the Secretary of State before the printing of the official sample ballot, an affidavit stating without qualification that he or she is not now and does not presently intend to become a candidate for the Office of President of the United States at the upcoming nominating convention of his or her political party. If a candidate withdraws pursuant to this section, the Secretary of State shall notify the state executive committee of the political party of such candidate that the candidate's name will not be placed on the ballot.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-13-17 [Laws, 1986, ch. 484, § 9; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 348]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 327; Laws, 1996, ch. 301, § 3, eff. 1/25/1996 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objection).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 37 - MISSISSIPPI PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY AND DELEGATE SELECTION (§§ 23-15-1081 — 23-15-1097) › Section 23-15-1097 - Payment of expenses; compensation of election officials

All expenses of the presidential preference primary election, which are authorized expenses, as provided by statute relating to primary or general elections, shall be paid in the same manner as provided by law. Compensation of election officials shall be limited to that which is authorized by statute.
Derived from 1972 Code § 23-13-21 [Laws, 1986, ch. 484, § 11; repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 348]; Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 328, eff. 1/1/1987.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 15 - MISSISSIPPI ELECTION CODE (§§ 23-15-NEW — 23-15-1111) › Article 39 - REPEAL OF PRIOR ELECTION LAWS (§ 23-15-1111) › Section 23-15-1111 - Repeal of laws in conflict with Chapter 15

All election laws in conflict with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed.
Laws, 1986, ch. 495, § 348, eff. 1/1/1987.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-1 - Procedures by which qualified electors may initiate proposed amendments to the constitution

(1)
For purposes of this chapter, the following term shall have the meaning ascribed herein:
"Measure" means an amendment to the Mississippi Constitution proposed by a petition of qualified electors under Section 273, Mississippi Constitution of 1890.
(2)
If any qualified elector of the state desires to initiate a proposed amendment to the Constitution of this state as authorized by subsections (3) through (13) of Section 273 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, he shall first file with the Secretary of State a typewritten copy of the proposed initiative measure, accompanied by an affidavit that the sponsor is a qualified elector of this state.
(3)
The sponsor of an initiative shall identify in the text of the initiative the amount and source of revenue required to implement the initiative. If the initiative requires a reduction in any source of government revenue, or a reallocation of funding from currently funded programs, the sponsor shall identify in the text of the initiative the program or programs whose funding must be reduced or eliminated to implement the initiative.
(4)
The person proposing the measure shall also include all the information required under Section 273, Mississippi Constitution of 1890.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 1, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-3 - Time for filing petition; length of time petition remains valid

The petition for a proposed initiative measure must be filed with the Secretary of State not less than ninety (90) days before the first day of the regular session of the Legislature at which it is to be submitted. A petition is valid for a period of twelve (12) months.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 2, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-5 - Submission of proposed initiative to Attorney General; review; recommendations; certificate of review; filing of proposed initiative and certificate

Upon receipt of any proposed initiative measure, the Secretary of State shall submit a copy of the proposed measure to the Attorney General and give notice to the person filing the proposed measure of such transmittal. Upon receipt of the measure, the Attorney General may confer with the person filing the proposed measure and shall within ten (10) working days from receipt thereof review the proposal for matters of form and style, and such matters of substantive import as may be agreeable to the person filing the proposed measure, and shall recommend such revision or alteration of the measure as may be deemed necessary and appropriate. The recommendations of the Attorney General shall be advisory only, and the person filing the proposed measure may accept or reject them in whole or in part. The Attorney General shall issue a certificate of review certifying that he has reviewed the measure for form and style and that the recommendations thereon, if any, have been communicated to the person filing the proposed measure, and such certificate shall issue whether or not the person filing the proposed measure accepts such recommendations. Within fifteen (15) working days after notification of submittal of the proposed initiative measure to the Attorney General, the person filing the proposed measure, if he desires to proceed with his sponsorship, shall file the measure together with the certificate of review with the Secretary of State for assignment of a serial number and the Secretary of State shall thereupon submit to the Attorney General a certified copy of the measure filed. Upon submitting the proposal to the Secretary of State for assignment of a serial number the Secretary of State shall refuse to make such assignment unless the proposal is accompanied by a certificate of review.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 3, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965); Laws, 1998, ch. 546, § 17, eff. 7/1/1998.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-7 - Assignment of serial number; designation as "Initiative Measure No. ."

The Secretary of State shall give a serial number to each initiative measure, and forthwith transmit one (1) copy of the measure proposed bearing its serial number to the Attorney General. Thereafter, a measure shall be known and designated on all petitions, ballots and proceedings as "Initiative Measure No. ____________________."
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 4, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-8 - Correction of certain nonsubstantive clerical or technical errors in the section number reference or designation of a proposed constitutional amendment

When an amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the state under the voter initiative procedure set forth in Section
23-17-1
, et seq., the Secretary of State, with the approval of the Attorney General, may make a nonsubstantive clerical or technical correction in the section number reference or designation of the proposed amendment contained in an initiative measure, as may be appropriate or necessary in order to prevent the use of an existing section number or the possibility of the initiative being declared invalid only because of an error in the section number designation. Such a correction may be made at any time after the Attorney General's certificate of review with regard to the initiative measure has been issued, and before the ballot for the initiative measure is printed. The provisions of this section do not authorize the Secretary of State to make any change other than a nonsubstantive correction in the section number reference or designation of the proposed amendment contained in the initiative measure.
Laws, 2011, ch. 304, § 1, eff. 7/28/2011 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objection under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965,).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-9 - Formulation of ballot title and summary of initiative measure

Within seven (7) calendar days after the receipt of an initiative measure, the Attorney General shall formulate and transmit to the Secretary of State a concise statement posed as a question and not to exceed twenty (20) words, bearing the serial number of the measure and a summary of the measure, not to exceed seventy-five (75) words, to follow the statement. The statement shall give a true and impartial statement of the purpose of the measure. Neither the statement nor the summary may intentionally be an argument, nor likely to create prejudice, either for or against the measure. Such concise statement shall constitute the ballot title. The ballot title formulated by the Attorney General shall be the ballot title of the measure unless changed on appeal. When practicable, the question posed by the ballot title shall be written in such a way that an affirmative answer to such question and an affirmative vote on the measure would result in a change in then current law, and a negative answer to the question and a negative vote on the measure would result in no change to then current law.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 5, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-11 - Notice of ballot title and summary to initiator; publication of title and summary

Upon the filing of the ballot title and summary for an initiative measure in his office, the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify by certified mail return receipt requested, the person proposing the measure and any other individuals who have made written request for such notification of the exact language of the ballot title. The Secretary of State shall publish the title and summary for an initiative measure within ten (10) days after filing such title and summary in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation throughout the State of Mississippi.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 6, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-13 - Procedure for appeal of title and summary

If any person is dissatisfied with the ballot title or summary formulated by the Attorney General, he or she may, within five (5) days from the publications of the ballot title and summary by the office of the Secretary of State, appeal to the circuit court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County by petition setting forth the measure, the title or summary formulated by the Attorney General, and his or her objections to the ballot title or summary and requesting amendment of the title or summary by the court.
A copy of the petition on appeal together with a notice that an appeal has been taken shall be served upon the Secretary of State, upon the Attorney General and upon the person proposing the measure if the appeal is initiated by someone other than that person. Upon the filing of the petition on appeal or at the time to which the hearing may be adjourned by consent of the appellant, the court shall accord first priority to examining the proposed measure, the title or summary prepared by the Attorney General and the objections to that title or summary. The court may hear arguments, and, within ten (10) days, shall render its decision and file with the Secretary of State a certified copy of such ballot title or summary as it determines will meet the requirements of Section
23-17-9
. The decision of the court shall be final.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 7, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-15 - Filing of instrument establishing title and summary of measure; notice to initiator; title and summary to be used in all proceedings

When the ballot title and summary are finally established, the Secretary of State shall file the instrument establishing it with the proposed measure and transmit a copy thereof by certified mail return receipt requested, to the person proposing the measure and to any other individuals who have made written request for such notification. Thereafter such ballot title shall be the title of the measure in all petitions, ballots and other proceedings in relation thereto. The summary shall appear on all petitions directly following the ballot title.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 8, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-17 - Initiator of measure to print blank petitions; form of petitions

(1)
The person proposing an initiative measure shall print blank petitions upon single sheets of paper of good writing quality not less than eight and one-half (8 1/2) inches in width and not less than fourteen (14) inches in length. Each sheet shall have a full, true and correct copy of the proposed measure referred to therein printed on the reverse side of the petition or attached thereto.
(2)
Only a person who is a qualified elector of this state may circulate a petition or obtain signatures on a petition.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 9; Laws, 1996, ch. 444, § 1, eff. 6/28/1996 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-19 - Secretary of State to design petitions; form of petitions

The Secretary of State shall design the form each sheet of which shall contain the following:
"WARNING
EVERY PERSON WHO SIGNS THIS PETITION WITH ANY OTHER THAN HIS OR HER TRUE NAME, KNOWINGLY SIGNS MORE THAN ONE OF THESE PETITIONS RELATING TO THE SAME INITIATIVE MEASURE, SIGNS THIS PETITION WHEN HE OR SHE IS NOT A QUALIFIED ELECTOR OR MAKES ANY FALSE STATEMENT ON THIS PETITION MAY BE PUNISHED BY FINE, IMPRISONMENT, OR BOTH.
PETITION FOR INITIATIVE MEASURE
To the Honorable ____________________, Secretary of State of the State of Mississippi:
We, the undersigned citizens and qualified electors of the State of Mississippi, respectfully direct that this petition and the proposed measure known as Initiative Measure No. ____________________, entitled (here insert the established ballot title of the measure), a full, true and correct copy of which is printed or attached on the reverse side of this petition, be transmitted to the Legislature of the State of Mississippi at its next ensuing regular session, and we respectfully petition the Legislature to adopt the proposed measure; and each of us for himself or herself says: I have personally signed this petition, I am a qualified elector of the State of Mississippi in the city (or town), county and congressional district written after my name, my residence address is correctly stated and I have knowingly signed this petition only once."
Each sheet shall also provide adequate space for the following information: Petitioner's signature; print name for positive identification; residence address, street and number, if any; city or town; county; precinct; and congressional district.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 10, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-21 - Certification of petition by the circuit clerk; fee for filing petition

Before a person may file a petition with the Secretary of State, the petition must be certified by the circuit clerk of each county in which the petition was circulated. The circuit clerk shall certify the signatures of qualified electors of that county and shall state the total number of qualified electors signing the petition in that county. The circuit clerk shall verify the name of each qualified elector signing on each petition. A circuit clerk may not receive any fee, salary or compensation from any private person or private legal entity for the clerk's duties in certifying an initiative petition. When the person proposing any initiative measure has secured upon the petition a number of signatures of qualified electors equal to or exceeding the minimum number required by Section 273(3) of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 for the proposed measure, and such signatures have been certified by the circuit clerks of the various counties, he may submit the petition to the Secretary of State for filing. The Secretary of State shall collect a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) from the person filing the petition to pay part of the administrative and publication costs.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 11; Laws, 1996, ch. 444, § 4, eff. 6/28/1996 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-23 - Grounds for refusing to file initiative petition

The Secretary of State shall refuse to file any initiative petition being submitted upon any of the following grounds:
(a)
That the petition is not in the form required by Section
23-17-19
;
(b)
That the petition clearly bears insufficient signatures;
(c)
That one or more signatures appearing on the petition were obtained in violation of Section
23-17-17(2)
, Section
23-17-57(2)
or Section
23-17-57(3)
;
(d)
That the time within which the petition may be filed has expired; or
(e)
That the petition is not accompanied by the filing fee provided for in Section
23-17-21
.
In case of such refusal, the Secretary of State shall endorse on the petition the word "submitted" and the date, and retain the petition pending appeal.
If none of the grounds for refusal exists, the Secretary of State shall accept and file the petition.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 12; Laws, 1996, ch. 444, § 3, eff. 6/28/1996 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-25 - Procedure to compel Secretary of State to file petition

If the Secretary of State refuses to file an initiative petition when submitted to him for filing, the person submitting it for filing, within ten (10) days after his refusal, may apply to the Supreme Court for an order requiring the Secretary of State to bring the petition before the court and for a writ of mandamus to compel him to file it. The application shall be considered an emergency matter of public concern and shall be heard and determined with all convenient speed. If the Supreme Court decides that the petition is legal in form, apparently contains the requisite number of signatures of qualified electors, was filed within the time prescribed in the Constitution and was accompanied with the proper filing fee, it shall issue its mandate directing the Secretary of State to file the petition in his office as of the date of submission.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 13, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-27 - Failure to appeal, or loss of appeal of, Secretary's refusal to file petition

If no appeal is taken from the refusal of the Secretary of State to file a petition within the time prescribed, or if an appeal is taken and the Secretary of State is not required to file the petition by the mandate of the Supreme Court, the Secretary of State shall destroy it.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 14, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-29 - Filing petition with Legislature; adoption, amendment, or rejection of initiative; placement of initiative on ballot; approval of conflicting initiatives

The Secretary of State shall file with the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate on the first day of the regular legislative session the complete text of each initiative for which a petition has been certified and filed with him. A constitutional initiative may be adopted or amended by a majority vote of each house of the Legislature. If the initiative is adopted, amended or rejected by the Legislature; or if no action is taken within four (4) months of the date that the initiative is filed with the Legislature, the Secretary of State shall place the initiative on the ballot for the next statewide general election. If the Legislature amends an initiative, the amended version and the original initiative shall be submitted to the electors. An initiative or legislative alternative must receive a majority of the votes thereon and not less than forty percent (40%) of the total votes cast at the election at which the measure was submitted to be approved. If conflicting initiatives or legislative alternatives are approved at the same election, the initiative or legislative alternative receiving the highest number of affirmative votes shall prevail.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 15, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-31 - Procedure for rejection of measure and adoption of new measure by Legislature; designation of "Alternative Measure No. A"; fiscal analysis

(1)
Whenever the Legislature rejects a measure submitted to it by initiative petition and adopts an amendment to the measure proposed by initiative petition, then the Secretary of State shall give the measure adopted by the Legislature the same number as that borne by the initiative measure followed by the letter "A." Such measure so designated as "Alternative Measure No. ____________________ A," together with the ballot title thereof, when ascertained, shall be certified by the Secretary of State to the county election commissioners for printing on the ballots for submission to the voters for their approval or rejection at the next statewide general election.
(2)
The chief legislative budget officer shall prepare a fiscal analysis of each initiative and each legislative alternative. A summary of each fiscal analysis shall appear on the ballot.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 16, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-33 - Ballot title and summary for alternative measures

For a measure designated by him as "Alternative Measure No. ____________________ A," the Secretary of State shall obtain from the Attorney General a ballot title in the manner provided by Section
23-17-9
. The ballot title therefor shall be different from the ballot title of the measure in lieu of which it is proposed, and shall indicate, as clearly as possible, the essential differences in the measure.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 17, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-35 - Form of initiative measure as appearing on ballot

Except in the case of alternative voting on a measure initiated by petition, each measure submitted to the people for approval or rejection shall be so printed on the ballot, under the proper heading, that a voter can, by making one (1) choice, express his approval or rejection of such measure. Substantially the following form shall be a compliance with this section:
INITIATIVE MEASURE NO. ____________________
(Here insert the ballot title of the measure.)
YES .................... ( )
NO .................... ( )
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 18, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-37 - Voting for initiative when legislative alternative proposed; form of initiative measure and Legislative alternative as appearing on ballot

If an initiative measure proposed to the Legislature has been rejected by the Legislature and an alternative measure is passed by the Legislature in lieu thereof, the serial numbers and ballot titles of both such measures shall be printed on the official ballots so that a voter can express separately two (2) preferences: First, by voting for the approval of either measure or against both measures, and, secondly, by voting for one measure or the other measure. If the majority of those voting on the first issue is against both measures, then both measures fail, but in that case the votes on the second issue nevertheless shall be carefully counted and made public. If a majority voting on the first issue is for the approval of either measure, then the measure receiving a majority of the votes on the second issue and also receiving not less than forty percent (40%) of the total votes cast at the election at which the measure was submitted for approval shall be law. Any person who votes against both measures on the first issue may vote but shall not be required to vote for any of the measures on the second issue in order for the ballot to be valid. Substantially the following form shall be a compliance with this section:
INITIATED BY PETITION AND ALTERNATIVE BY LEGISLATURE
Initiative Measure No. ____________________, entitled (here insert the ballot title of the initiative measure).
Alternative Measure No. ____________________ A, entitled (here insert the ballot title of the alternative measure).
VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF EITHER, OR AGAINST BOTH:
FOR APPROVAL OF EITHER Initiative No. ____________________
OR Alternative No. ____________________ A .................... ( )
AGAINST BOTH initiative No. ____________________
AND Alternative No. ____________________ A .................... ( )
AND VOTE FOR ONE:
FOR Initiative Measure No. ____________________ .................... ( )
FOR Alternative Measure No. ____________________ A .................... ( )
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 19, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-39 - Limit of how many initiative proposals may be submitted to voters on single ballot

No more than five (5) initiative proposals shall be submitted to the voters on a single ballot, and the first five (5) initiative proposals submitted to the Secretary of State with sufficient petitions shall be the proposals which are submitted to the voters.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 20, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-41 - Effective date of initiative which is approved

An initiative approved by the electors shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date of the official declaration of the vote by the Secretary of State, unless the measure provides otherwise.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 21, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-42 - Secretary of State to insert approved initiative into Constitution by proclamation; designation of article and section numbers

When a proposed change, alteration or amendment proposed to the Constitution by initiative of the people or legislative alternative receives the required number of votes as provided in Section 273(8), Mississippi Constitution of 1890, the Secretary of State shall insert the proposed change, alteration or amendment into the Constitution by proclamation of his or her office certifying that the proposed change, alteration or amendment to the Constitution received the required number of votes as provided in Section 273(8), Mississippi Constitution of 1890. The Secretary of State shall also designate the article number and section number or numbers for the proposed change, alteration or amendment in the Constitution if the article number and section number or numbers are not provided in the initiative of the people or legislative alternative.
Added by Laws, 2021, ch. 354, HB 1177,§ 2, eff. 3/17/2021.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 23 - ELECTIONS (§§ 23-NEW-NEW-001 — 23-17-61) › Chapter 17 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION BY VOTER INITIATIVE (§§ 23-17-1 — 23-17-61) › Section 23-17-43 - Time limit for resubmitting initiative rejected by voters

If any amendment to the Constitution proposed by initiative petition is rejected by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon, no initiative petition proposing the same, or substantially the same, amendment shall be submitted to the electors for at least two (2) years after the date of the election on such amendment.
Laws, 1993, ch. 514, § 22, eff. 8/3/1993 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objections under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965).