MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Apportionment and Elections

By: Representatives Straughter, Bozeman, Gibbs, Ketchings, Morris

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT A SUCCESSOR TO A ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICE SHALL BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO THE OFFICE FIFTEEN DAYS BEFORE THE TERM OF THE PREDECESSOR IN OFFICE ENDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Any person elected to a state, county or municipal public office shall be allowed, during the last fifteen (15) days of the term of his predecessor in office, to observe the daily procedures used in the office in order to familiarize himself with the administration of the office. However, the successor shall not assume any of the duties of the office until he has taken the oath of office.

SECTION 2. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.