Subject Matter:

Open Primary Elections  (See Comments)

Original Filing:

See attached measure

Proposed Ballot Title:

Should the State adopt an open primary election system for the election of county offices, justice court judges and district attorneys?

Proposed Ballot Summary:

Initiative Measure No. 70 proposes to provide for an open primary election for county offices, justice court judges, and district attorneys on the general election day. If no candidate receives more than fifty percent of the votes cast, there would be a runoff election between the two candidates receiving the most votes. No reference to political party affiliation would appear on the ballot for candidates for justice court judge, constable or district attorney.

Initiative Petition:

N/A

Sponsor:

Mr. Joseph L. Warren Address: P.O. Box 42 Mt. Olive, MS 39119

Status:

Expired

Town Meeting Location:

N/A

Initiative Information:

The official ballot title and ballot summary for an initiative measure are prepared by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office. Initiative measures are valid for one year. During this one-year period, a petition may be circulated to place the measure on the next statewide general election ballot to allow the voters of Mississippi to determine whether the measure should become a part of the Mississippi Constitution. According to Mississippi law, for an initiative measure to be placed on the ballot, a minimum of 106,190 certified signatures must be gathered, with at least 21,238 certified signatures from each of the five congressional districts as they existed in the year 2000. This required number of signatures represents twelve percent (12%) of the total number of votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial general election. Signatures must be certified by county circuit clerks as belonging to registered voters in Mississippi. A completed petition should be filed with Secretary of State, together with a filing fee of $500.00. For more information on the initiative process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, Section 273, and Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 23-17-1 through 23-17-61 (1972).

Comments:

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