Senate Concurrent Resolution 543

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 153, MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO INCREASE THE TERMS OF CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES AND CHANCELLORS FROM FOUR TO SIX YEARS BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2003; 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 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 for a term of office beginning from and after January 1, 2003, 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 office of circuit and chancery court judges from four to six years beginning January 1, 2003."

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.