MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Apportionment and Elections

By: Representative Endt

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-1015, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CHANGE THE DATE ON WHICH CIRCUIT AND CHANCERY COURT JUDGES ARE ELECTED; TO CHANGE THE QUALIFYING DEADLINE FOR CIRCUIT AND CHANCERY COURT JUDGES FROM THE FIRST MONDAY IN MAY TO MARCH 1; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-977, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 23-15-1015, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

23-15-1015. * * * On the first Tuesday in June 2002, and every four (4) years thereafter and concurrently with the first primary election for Congress, there shall be held an election in every county for judges of the several circuit and chancery court districts. If a run-off election is necessary, then it shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2002, concurrently with the general election for representatives in Congress. The laws regulating the general elections shall, except as otherwise provided for in Sections 23-15-974 through 23-15-985, apply to and govern elections of judges of the circuit and chancery courts.

SECTION 2. (1) All candidates for circuit judge and chancellor shall file their intent to be a candidate with the proper officials not later than March 1 of the year in which the first election for these offices is held and shall pay to the proper officials the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).

(2) Candidates for circuit judge and chancellor shall file their intent to be a candidate with, and pay the proper assessment made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section to, the State Board of Election Commissioners.

SECTION 3. Section 23-15-977, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

23-15-977. (1) All candidates for judicial office as defined in Section 23-15-975 of this subarticle, except candidates for circuit judge and chancellors shall file their intent to be a candidate with the proper officials not later than the first Friday after the first Monday in May before the general election for judicial office and shall pay to the proper officials the following amounts:

(a) Candidates for Supreme Court judge and Court of Appeals, the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00).

(b) Candidates for county judge and family court judge, the sum of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00).

(2) Candidates for judicial offices listed in paragraph (a) * * * of subsection (1) of this section shall file their intent to be a candidate with, and pay the proper assessment made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section to, the State Board of Election Commissioners.

(3) Candidates for judicial offices listed in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section shall file their intent to be a candidate with, and pay the proper assessment made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section to, the circuit clerk of the proper county. The circuit clerk shall notify the county commissioners of election of all persons who have filed their intent to be a candidate filed with, and paid the proper assessment to, such clerk. Such notification shall occur within two (2) business days and shall contain all necessary information.

SECTION 4. 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 5. 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.