Senate Concurrent NO. 540

By Representative(s) Committee

That the following amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, is proposed to the qualified electors of the state:

Amend Section 153, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:

"Section 153. The judges of the circuit and chancery courts shall be elected by the people in a manner and at a time to be provided by the Legislature. The judges elected to a term of office beginning before January 1, 2007, shall hold their office for a term of four (4) years. The judges elected to a term of office beginning on or after January 1, 2007, shall hold their office for a term of six (6) years."

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 2002, 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 increases the terms of judges of the circuit and chancery courts from four years to six years for terms of office beginning on or after January 1, 2007."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this resolution, immediately upon adoption by the Legislature, 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.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 153, MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO INCREASE FROM FOUR YEARS TO SIX YEARS THE TERMS OF OFFICE OF JUDGES OF THE CIRCUIT AND CHANCERY COURTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.