MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Elections; Constitution

By: Senator(s) Jordan, Jackson (11th)

Senate Concurrent Resolution 550

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 241, MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO PROVIDE THAT PERSONS DISENFRANCHISED BY CONVICTION OF A FELONY SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE UPON MEETING CERTAIN CONDITIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the state:

     Amend Section 241, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:

     Section 241.  (1)  Every inhabitant of this state * * *, except idiots and insane persons, who is a qualified elector if the person:

(a)  Is a citizen of the United States of America * * *,;

(b)  Is at least eighteen (18) years old * * * and upward, who;

(c)  Has * * * been a resident of this state for one (1) year, and for one (1) year in the county in which he offers to vote, and for six (6) months in the election precinct or resided in this state for thirty (30) days, for thirty (30) days in the county in which the person offers to vote, and for thirty (30) days in the incorporated city or town in which * * * he the person offers to vote, and who is duly registered as provided in this article and by statute, and who has never been convicted of murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, forgery, embezzlement or bigamy * * *, is declared to be a qualified elector, except that he.

(2)  If a person has been convicted of a disqualifying felony listed in subsection (1)(c) of this section, the person may become a qualified elector if the person:

(a)  Has fully discharged the person's sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, probation or other supervision ordered by any court; and

(b)  Presents to the registrar of voters certified copies of the Discharge Order signed by the Circuit Court Judge and the Discharge Certificate issued by the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

(3)  A person shall be qualified to vote for President and Vice President of the United States if * * * he the person meets the requirements established by Congress * * * therefor and is otherwise a qualified elector.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the amendment in this resolution shall be submitted to the qualified electors at an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2020, as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by general law.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Mississippi Legislature shall enact necessary and appropriate legislation at the 2021 Regular Session of the Legislature to enable this amendment to Section 241 if the Secretary of State by proclamation inserts this amendment as part of the Constitution.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of the amendment for the ballot shall read as follows:  "This proposed constitutional amendment provides that a person who has lost the right to vote because of a criminal conviction may become eligible to vote if the person has fully discharged any sentence of incarceration and supervision for the crime."