MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2014 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Moore

House Bill 94

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-5-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE CANDIDATES FOR THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DECLARE THE POLITICAL PARTY WITH WHICH THEY ARE AFFILIATED UPON PETITION OF CANDIDACY FOR SUCH OFFICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-5-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-5-9.  (1)  The name of any qualified elector who is a candidate for the county board of education and the political party with which the candidate is affiliated shall be placed on the ballot used in the general elections by the county election commissioners, provided that the candidate files with the county election commissioners, not more than ninety (90) days and not less than sixty (60) days * * * prior tobefore the date of * * * such the general election, a petition of nomination signed by not less than fifty (50) qualified electors of the county residing within each supervisors district.  The petition of nomination must include the name of the political party with which the candidate is affiliated.  Where there are * * * less fewer than one hundred (100) qualified electors in * * * said the supervisors district, it shall only be required that * * * said the petition of nomination be signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of * * * such that supervisors district.  The candidate in each supervisors district who receives the highest number of votes cast in the district shall be declared elected.

(2)  When any member of the county board of education is to be elected from the county at large under the provisions of this chapter, then the petition required by * * * the preceding paragraph hereofsubsection (1) of this section shall be signed by the required number of qualified electors residing in any part of the county outside of the territory embraced within a municipal separate school district or special municipal separate school district.  The candidate who receives the highest number of votes cast in the election shall be declared elected.

(3)  In no case shall any qualified elector residing within a municipal separate school district or special municipal separate school district be eligible to sign a petition of nomination for any candidate for the county board of education under any of the provisions of this section.

SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.

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