Senate Concurrent Resolution 511

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTIONS 241 AND 253 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO RESTORE VOTING RIGHTS TO PERSONS CONVICTED OF NONVIOLENT FELONIES UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendments 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 citizen of the United States of America, eighteen (18) years old and upward, who has been a resident of this state for one (1) year, and for one (1) year in the county in which he or she offers to vote, and for six (6) months in the election precinct or in the incorporated city or town in which he or she offers to vote, and who is duly registered as provided in this article, 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 or she shall be qualified to vote for President and Vice President of the United States if he or she meets the requirements established by Congress therefor and is otherwise a qualified elector. Any person convicted of a nonviolent felony under the laws of this state, or any other jurisdiction recognized by this state, shall have their right to vote restored, via procedures established by the Legislature, upon the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The individual has fully served all terms of their sentence, including any term of incarceration, probation, parole or post-release supervision;

(b) All court-ordered fines, fees, and restitution associated with the conviction have been satisfied; and

(c) The individual has demonstrated good behavior by remaining free from any new criminal convictions for a continuous period of seven (7) years following the completion of their sentence.

(2) For the purposes of this section, "nonviolent felony" shall mean any felony that does not involve the use or threat of physical force or violence against another person or result in significant harm to property or individuals, as prescribed by law.

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

Section 253. In any case where suffrage is not restored according to Section 241, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, 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 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 the amendments in this resolution 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 2025, as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by general law.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of the amendment for the ballot shall read as follows: "The right to vote is a fundamental principle of democracy. The rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals who have served their sentences are vital to promoting civic engagement and reducing recidivism. The current language of the Mississippi Constitution prohibits all citizens of Mississippi who have been convicted of a felony from voting in local and state elections. By amending the Constitution's language as proposed, individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies would be permitted to vote upon the completion of their sentence, payment of outstanding fines, and remaining free from any new criminal convictions for a continuous period of seven (7) years following completion of their sentences."