Senate Bill 2170

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 21-3-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN IN CITIES OPERATING UNDER A CODE CHARTER FORM OF GOVERNMENT MUST BE RESIDENTS OF THE WARD THEY REPRESENT FOR A PERIOD OF SIX CONSECUTIVE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE ELECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 21-3-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

21-3-9. The mayor and members of the board of aldermen shall be qualified electors of the municipality and, in addition:

(a) The aldermen elected from and by wards shall have been residents of their respective wards for a period of six (6) consecutive months prior to the date of the election; and

(b) The mayor shall have been a resident of the municipality for a period of six (6) consecutive months prior to the date of the election.

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.