House Concurrent Resolution 17

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 253, MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO PROVIDE FOR THE AUTOMATIC RESTORATION OF SUFFRAGE TO ANY PERSON DISQUALIFIED BY REASON OF A NONVIOLENT CRIME, AFTER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE COMPLETION OF ANY SENTENCE, PROBATION AND/OR PAYMENT OF RESTITUTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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 253, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:

"Section 253. The right of suffrage is restored automatically to any person disqualified by reason of a nonviolent crime after a period of five (5) years from the completion of any applicable sentence, probation and/or payment of restitution related to the nonviolent crime. The Legislature may, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of both houses, of all members elected, restore the right of suffrage to any person disqualified by reason of a violent crime; but the reasons therefor shall be spread upon the journals, and the vote shall be by yeas and nays."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this proposed amendment shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the qualified electors at an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2021, as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by general law.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of this proposed amendment for the ballot shall read as follows: "This proposed constitutional amendment provides for the automatic restoration of suffrage to any person disqualified by reason of a nonviolent crime after a period of five (5) years from the completion of any sentence, probation and/or payment of restitution. The restoration of suffrage for persons disqualified for violent crimes would still require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of both houses of the Legislature."