MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Apportionment and Elections
By: Representative Snowden (By Request)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-973, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A CIRCUIT JUDGE ALLOW JUDICIAL CANDIDATES FOR THE OFFICE OF JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT, JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, CIRCUIT JUDGE OR CHANCELLOR TO ADDRESS THE PEOPLE DURING COURT TERMS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 23-15-973, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
23-15-973. * * * No judge of any circuit
court may provide an opportunity for any candidate for the office of the
Supreme Court, judge of the Court of Appeals, circuit judge or chancellor to
address the people during court terms. It shall be unlawful for any
candidate for * * * the office of judge of the
Supreme Court, judge of the Court of Appeals, circuit judge or chancellor
to align himself or herself with any candidate or candidates for any
other office or with any political faction or any political party at any time
during any primary or general election campaign. Likewise it shall be unlawful
for any candidate for any other office nominated or to be nominated at any
primary election, wherein any candidate for any of the judicial offices in this
section mentioned, is or are to be nominated, to align himself or herself
with any one or more of the candidates for said offices or to take any part
whatever in any nomination for any one or more of said judicial offices, except
to cast his individual vote. Any candidate for any office, whether nominated
with or without opposition, at any primary wherein a candidate for any one (1)
of the judicial offices herein mentioned is to be nominated who shall
deliberately, knowingly and willfully violate the provisions of this section
shall forfeit his nomination, or if elected at the following general election
by virtue of said nomination, his election shall be void.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.