Mississippi 2015 ballot measures
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Two ballot measures were on the 2015 ballot in the state of Mississippi and both measures were defeated.
The two questions were competing measures. One, Initiative 42, was an indirect initiated constitutional amendment, and the other, Alternative 42, was a legislative referral that was offered as an alternative to Initiative 42. The 2015 ballot was the first in state history to have competing measures, despite the legislature's longstanding ability to offer such.[1]
The 2015 legislative session began on January 6, 2015, and concluded on April 2, 2015.[2]
The Mississippi Secretary of State released a sample ballot that can be read here.
On the ballot
- See also: 2015 ballot measures
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IndICA | Initiative 42 | Education | "Adequate and efficient system of free public schools" | 
|
| LRCA | Alternative 42 | Education | Requirement of an "efficient system of free public schools" |
|
Not on the ballot
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IndICA | "Personhood" Amendment | Abortion | Grants equal rights to human beings at all stages of development | 
|
| LRCA | Balanced Budget Amendment | Gov't Finances | Requires the legislature to enact a balanced budget each fiscal year |
|
| LRSS | Public Smoking Ban Act | Tobacco | Bans public smoking throughout the state |
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Historical facts
- Between 1995 and 2014, an average of one measure has appeared annually on the ballot in Mississippi. Therefore, 2015 is an average year based on the number of certified measures.
- From 1995 to 2014, the number of measures on a statewide ballot has ranged from zero to three.
- Between 1995 and 2014, 8 of 12, or 67 percent, of Mississippi ballot measures have been approved by voters.
- Conversely, 4 of 12, or 33 percent, of measures have been defeated.
State profile
| Demographic data for Mississippi | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 2,989,390 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 46,923 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 59.2% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 37.4% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 1% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.4% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 1.2% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 2.9% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 82.3% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 20.7% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $39,665 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 27% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Mississippi. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
Mississippi voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, two are located in Mississippi, accounting for 0.97 percent of the total pivot counties.[3]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Mississippi had two Retained Pivot Counties, 1.10 of all Retained Pivot Counties.
More Mississippi coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Mississippi
- United States congressional delegations from Mississippi
- Public policy in Mississippi
- Endorsers in Mississippi
- Mississippi fact checks
- More...
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Mississippi 2015 Ballot Measure. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- 2015 ballot measures
- List of Mississippi ballot measures
- History of Initiative & Referendum in Mississippi
- Mississippi signature requirements
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Hattiesburg America, "Analysis: School budget prop could get alternative," November 30, 2014
- ↑ WTVA, "Mississippi Legislature ends session as House adjourns," April 2, 2015
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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