House Bill 881

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-849, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT APPOINTEES FOR CERTAIN VACANT JUDICIAL POSITIONS SHALL SERVE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 23-15-849, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

23-15-849. * * * Vacancies in the office of judge of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals or circuit judge, or chancellor, shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment. Upon the occurring of such a vacancy, the Governor shall appoint a qualified person from the district in which the vacancy exists to hold the office and discharge the duties thereof until the expiration of the term.

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SECTION 2. 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 3. 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.