Types of ballot measures in Mississippi
 |
| Initiated |
| • Initiated constitutional amendment |
| • Initiated state statute |
| • Veto referendum |
| Legislative |
| • Legislative constitutional amendment |
| • Legislative state statute |
| • Legislative bond issue |
| • Advisory question |
| Other |
| • Automatic ballot referral |
| • Commission-referred measure |
| • Convention-referred amendment |
In Mississippi, statewide ballot measures can be citizen-initiated. The Mississippi State Legislature can also vote to refer measures to the ballot. This page provides an overview of the different types of ballot measures that can appear on state ballots in Mississippi.
The types of state ballot measures in Mississippi are:
- Indirect initiated constitutional amendments
- Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
- Legislatively referred state statutes
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In Mississippi, citizens have the power to initiate indirect constitutional amendments.
Indirect initiated constitutional amendments
An indirect initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. There are two states – Massachusetts and Mississippi – that allow citizens to initiate indirect constitutional amendments.
While a direct initiated constitutional amendment is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiated constitutional amendment is first presented to the state legislature, which has various options depending on the state.
In Mississippi, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to at least 12% of the total number of votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial general election immediately preceding the signature deadline—not necessarily the gubernatorial election immediately preceding the targeted election date. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Beginning with the day the sponsor receives the ballot title and summary, proponents have one year to circulate petitions and receive certification from the county circuit clerks. Signatures must be submitted to the secretary of state at least 90 days prior to the beginning of the regular session—which begins in the first week of January.
Once it is determined that proponents of a measure have collected enough signatures, the measure is filed with the Mississippi State Legislature on the first day of the legislative session. The legislature must act on the measure within four months of that date. The legislature may choose to adopt the measure by a majority vote in each house. Whether the legislature adopts or rejects the measure, the proposed amendment proceeds to the ballot. The legislature may also choose to approve an amended alternate version of the measure. In this case, both measures appear on the ballot together.
An initiative must receive a majority of the total votes cast for that particular initiative and must also receive more than 40% of the total votes cast in that election.
Note on Mississippi:
Mississippi has an initiated constitutional amendment process, including a signature distribution requirement based on five congressional districts. However, the requirements cannot be met, according to the Mississippi Supreme Court, because the state has four congressional districts following reapportionment in 2001. As a result, the process remains part of the state constitution but cannot be carried out in practice.[1]
Legislative referrals
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the Mississippi State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 77 votes in the Mississippi House of Representatives and 35 votes in the Mississippi State Senate, assuming no vacancies. The absolute number of those voting in favor must be equal to at least a majority of the members elected to each house. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Legislatively referred state statutes
- See also: Legislatively referred state statute
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Mississippi State Legislature to place a state statute on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 62 votes in the Mississippi House of Representatives and 27 votes in the Mississippi State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Statutes require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Other types of ballot measures
Most ballot measures are placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives or legislative processes. Others are placed on the ballot automatically, by a special commission, or by a state constitutional convention. The following is a list of different types of state ballot measures:
See also
- List of Mississippi ballot measures
- Laws governing ballot measures in Mississippi
- Laws governing the initiative process
- States with initiative or referendum
- States without initiative or referendum
- Amending state constitutions
Footnotes
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