MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Apportionment and Elections
By: Representative Ladner
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE LEGISLATURE, BY AND THROUGH COMMITTEE, SHALL AT ITS REGULAR SESSION IN THE SECOND YEAR FOLLOWING THE 2020 DECENNIAL CENSUS AND EVERY TEN YEARS THEREAFTER, HAVE THE POWER TO ALTER THE BOUNDARIES OF THE SUPERVISORS DISTRICTS, VOTING PRECINCTS, SUB-PRECINCTS AND THE VOTING PLACES AND APPORTION THE COUNTIES, MUNICIPALITIES, COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND ANY OTHER DISTRICT IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-283, 23-15-285, 19-3-1, 21-3-7, 21-5-5, 21-8-7, 21-9-15, 21-9-59, 37-5-1, 37-5-18 AND 37-7-207, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 23-15-1037, 9-3-1, 9-4-5, 9-5-5, 9-5-7, 9-5-9, 9-5-11, 9-5-13, 9-5-15, 9-5-17, 9-5-19, 9-5-21, 9-5-22, 9-5-23, 9-5-25, 9-5-27, 9-5-29, 9-5-31, 9-5-33, 9-5-35, 9-5-36, 9-5-37, 9-5-38, 9-5-39, 9-5-40, 9-5-41, 9-5-43, 9-5-45, 9-5-47, 9-5-49, 9-5-50, 9-5-51, 9-5-53, 9-5-54, 9-5-55, 9-5-57, 9-5-58, 9-7-5, 9-7-7, 9-7-9, 9-7-11, 9-7-13, 9-7-14, 9-7-15, 9-7-17, 9-7-19, 9-7-20, 9-7-21, 9-7-23, 9-7-25, 9-7-27, 9-7-29, 9-7-30, 9-7-31, 9-7-32, 9-7-33, 9-7-34, 9-7-35, 9-7-37, 9-7-39, 9-7-41, 9-7-42, 9-7-43, 9-7-44, 9-7-45, 9-7-46, 9-7-47, 9-7-49, 9-7-51, 9-7-53, 9-7-54, 9-7-55, 9-7-57, 37-7-208 AND 23-15-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Legislature, by and through committee, shall at its regular session in the second year following the 2020 decennial census and every ten (10) years thereafter, have the power to alter the boundaries of the senatorial and representative districts, supervisors districts, voting precincts, sub-precincts and the voting places and apportion the counties, municipalities, county school districts, consolidated school districts, congressional district and any other district it deems appropriate in accordance with the Constitution of the state.
SECTION 2. Section 23-15-283, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
23-15-283. (1) The * * * Legislature shall
have power to alter the boundaries of the supervisors districts, voting
precincts, sub-precincts and the voting place therein. If the * * * Legislature orders
a change in the boundaries, they shall notify the election commissioners, who
shall at once cause the voter rolls as electronically maintained by the
Statewide Elections Management System of voting precincts affected by the order
to be changed to conform to the change so as to contain only the names of the
qualified electors in the voting precincts as made by the change of boundaries.
Upon the order of change from the Legislature in the boundaries of any
voting precinct or the voting place therein, the board of supervisors shall
notify the Office of the Secretary of State and provide the Office of the
Secretary of State a legal description and a map of any boundary change. No
change shall be implemented or enforced until the requirements of this section
have been met.
(2) Only officials certified by the Secretary of State shall be authorized to implement boundary line changes in the Statewide Elections Management System. The training and certification required under this subsection (2) shall be available to the circuit clerk, county election commissioners or any other individual designated by the board of supervisors to be responsible for implementing boundary line changes into the Statewide Elections Management System.
(3) Once the Legislature
adopts, amends or changes boundary lines, any governmental entity * * *
shall immediately forward all changed boundary lines to the appropriate circuit
clerk, who shall, if authorized under subsection (2), implement the boundary
line changes in the Statewide Elections Management System. If the circuit
clerk is not the appropriate person to implement the boundary line changes, the
clerk shall immediately forward a copy of all materials to the appropriate
person. Copies of any boundary line changes within the county shall be
maintained in the office of the circuit clerk and made available for public
inspection. No change shall be implemented or enforced until the requirements
of this section have been met.
(4) Precinct boundary changes affected by the authority of this section or of any other provision of law shall not be implemented during any decade after the last day of September of the year ending in eight (8). Precinct boundaries in force and effect at such time shall remain in effect and unalterable until the last day of December in the next year ending in zero. This prohibition shall not bar the creation or modification of sub-precinct boundaries.
SECTION 3. Section 23-15-285, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
23-15-285. The board of supervisors shall cause an entry to be made on the minutes of the board at some meeting, as early as convenient, defining the boundaries of the several supervisors districts, sub-precincts and voting precincts in the county, and designating the voting place in each voting precinct; and as soon as practicable after any change by the Legislature is made in any supervisors district, sub-precincts, voting precinct or any voting place, the board of supervisors shall cause the change to be entered on the minutes of the board in such manner as to be easily understood. Precinct boundaries may be changed only during the times provided in Section 23-15-283.
No voting precinct shall
have more than five hundred (500) qualified electors residing in its
boundaries. Subject to the provisions of this section, * * *
the Legislature of this state shall, as soon as practical * * *, alter or change the
boundaries of the various voting precincts to comply herewith and shall from
time to time make such changes in the boundaries of voting precincts so
that there shall never be more than five hundred (500) qualified electors
within the boundaries of the various voting precincts of this state; provided
further, this limitation shall not apply to voting precincts that are so divided,
alphabetically or otherwise, so as to have less than five hundred (500)
qualified electors in any one (1) box within a voting precinct. However, the
limitation of five hundred (500) qualified electors to the voting precinct
shall not apply to voting precincts in which voting machines are used at all
elections held in that voting precinct. No change in any supervisors district,
sub-precinct or voting precinct shall take effect less than thirty (30) days
before the qualifying deadline for the office of county supervisor.
SECTION 4. Section 19-3-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
19-3-1. Each county shall
be divided into five (5) districts, with due regard to equality of population
and convenience of situation for the election of members of the boards of
supervisors, but the districts as now existing shall continue until changed.
The qualified electors of each district shall elect, at the next general
election, and every four (4) years thereafter, in their districts one (1)
member of the board of supervisors. * * *
If the boundaries of the
districts are changed by * * * the Legislature, the order shall be published in
a newspaper having general circulation in the county once each week for three
(3) consecutive weeks.
SECTION 5. Section 21-3-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-3-7. (1) Except as
provided in subsection (3) of this section, in all municipalities having a
population of less than ten thousand (10,000) according to the latest * * * federal decennial census,
there shall be five (5) aldermen, which aldermen may be elected from the
municipality at large, or, in the discretion of the municipal authority, the
municipality may be divided into four (4) wards, with one (1) alderman to be
selected from each ward and one (1) from the municipality at large. On a
petition of twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of any such
municipality, the provisions of this section as to whether or not the aldermen
shall be elected from wards or from the municipality at large shall be
determined by the vote of the majority of the qualified electors of the
municipality voting in a special election called for that purpose. All
aldermen shall be selected by vote of the entire electorate of the
municipality. Those municipalities which determine to select one (1) alderman
from each of the four (4) wards shall select one (1) from the candidates for
alderman from each particular ward who shall be a resident of said ward by
majority vote of the entire electorate of the municipality.
(2) Except as provided in
subsection (4) of this section, in all municipalities having a population of
ten thousand (10,000) or more, according to the latest * * * federal decennial census,
there shall be seven (7) aldermen, which aldermen may be elected from the
municipality at large, or, in the discretion of the municipal authority, the
municipality may be divided into six (6) wards, with one (1) alderman to be
selected from each ward and one (1) from the municipality at large. On a
petition of twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of any such
municipality, the provisions of this section as to whether or not the aldermen
shall be elected from wards or from the municipality at large shall be
determined by the vote of the majority of the qualified electors of the
municipality voting in a special election called for that purpose. This
section in no way affects the number of aldermen, councilmen, or commissioners
of any city operating under a special charter. All aldermen shall be selected
by vote of the entire electorate of the municipality. Those municipalities
which determine to select one (1) alderman from each of the six (6) wards shall
select one (1) of the candidates for alderman from each particular ward by
majority vote of the entire electorate of the municipality.
(3) In any municipality
having a population of five hundred (500) or less according to the latest * * * federal decennial census,
there may be three (3) aldermen. The change from five (5) aldermen to three
(3) aldermen shall be approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the
municipality voting in a special election held for this purpose.
(4) If a municipality has a population according to the 2010 federal decennial census that is less than ten thousand (10,000) and whose population according to the 2020 federal decennial census is ten thousand (10,000) or more, the municipality may elect to continue with five (5) aldermen and not increase to seven (7) aldermen by the adoption of a resolution by a majority of the board of aldermen expressing the intent to continue with five (5) aldermen and not increase to seven (7) aldermen. Before the adoption of such resolution, the proposed resolution shall be published for three (3) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) newspaper published in the municipality. The first publication of such resolution shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the date fixed in such resolution for the adoption of the same and the last publication shall be made not more than seven (7) days prior to such date. If no newspaper be published in the municipality, then such notice shall be given by publishing the resolution for the required time in some newspaper having a general circulation in such municipality and, in addition, by posting a copy of such resolution for at least twenty-one (21) days next preceding the date fixed to adopt the resolution at three (3) public places in such municipality. If ten percent (10%) of the qualified electors of the municipality or fifteen hundred (1,500) whichever is lesser, shall file a written protest against the resolution on or before the date specified in the resolution, then an election on the question shall be called. Notice of such election shall be signed by the clerk of the municipality and shall be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) newspaper published in the municipality. The first publication of such notice shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the date fixed for such election and the last publication shall be made not more than seven (7) days prior to such date. If no newspaper be published in the municipality, then such notice shall be given by publishing the same for the required time in some newspaper having a general circulation in such municipality and, in addition, by posting a copy of such notice for at least twenty-one (21) days next preceding the date fixed to adopt the resolution at three (3) public places in such municipality. At the election, all qualified electors of such municipality may vote, and the ballots used in the election shall have printed thereon a brief statement of the purpose of the increase in the number of aldermen and the words "FOR THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ALDERMEN FROM 5 TO 7" and on a separate line, "AGAINST THE INCREASE IN NUMBER OF ALDERMEN FROM 5 TO 7" and the voters shall vote by placing a cross (X) or check (√) opposite their choice on the proposition. The results of the election shall be certified by the municipal election commissions and spread on the minutes of the municipality. If a majority of electors who voted in the election vote in favor of maintaining five (5) aldermen and not increasing the number to seven (7) aldermen, the number of aldermen shall remain at five (5) and shall not be increased except by special election called for such purpose. If a majority of electors who voted in the election vote against maintaining five (5) aldermen and in favor of increasing the number to seven (7) aldermen, the number of aldermen for such municipality shall be increased to seven (7) aldermen and the number shall not be decreased except by act of the Legislature.
SECTION 6. Section 21-5-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-5-5. The mayor and
councilmen (or commissioners) of all cities operated under the commission form
of government shall be elected from the city at large, but the * * * Legislature may
establish as many wards and as many voting precincts in each ward as may be
necessary or desirable. No person shall be eligible to the office of mayor or
councilman unless he is a qualified elector of such city and shall have been a
bona fide resident thereof for a period of at least one (1) year next
preceding the date of the commencement of his term of office.
In the event the council should ordain that the councilmen posts shall be separated, as provided in Section 21-5-11, such post shall be so separated for election purposes and persons seeking the office of councilman shall qualify and seek election for a specific post, as designated by ordinance, and each post shall be voted on separately by the qualified electors of the municipality voting in said election.
In the event there should be but one (1) candidate for one of such election posts, or only one (1) candidate for each of such posts, then such candidate or candidates shall be declared to be elected.
SECTION 7. Section 21-8-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-8-7. (1) Each municipality operating under the mayor-council form of government shall be governed by an elected council and an elected mayor. Other officers and employees shall be duly appointed pursuant to this chapter, general law or ordinance.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, the mayor and council members shall be elected by the voters of the municipality at a regular municipal election held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June as provided in Section 21-11-7, and shall serve for a term of four (4) years beginning on the first day of July next following the election that is not on a weekend.
(3) The terms of the initial mayor and council members shall commence at the expiration of the terms of office of the elected officials of the municipality serving at the time of adoption of the mayor-council form.
(4) (a) The council shall
consist of five (5), seven (7) or nine (9) members. In the event there are
five (5) council members, the municipality shall be divided into either five
(5) or four (4) wards. In the event there are seven (7) council members, the
municipality shall be divided into either seven (7), six (6) or five (5)
wards. In the event there are nine (9) council members, the municipality shall
be divided into seven (7) or nine (9) wards. If the municipality is divided
into fewer wards than it has council members, the other council member or
members shall be elected from the municipality at large. The total number of
council members and the number of council members elected from wards shall be
established by the petition or petitions presented pursuant to Section 21-8-3.
One (1) council member shall be elected from each ward by the voters of that
ward. Council members elected to represent wards must be residents of their
wards at the time of qualification for election, and any council member who removes
the member's residence from the municipality or from the ward from which
elected shall vacate that office. However, any candidate for council member
who is properly qualified as a candidate under applicable law shall be deemed
to be qualified as a candidate in whatever ward the member resides if the ward
has changed after the * * *
Legislature has redistricted the municipality as provided in paragraph
(c)(ii) of this subsection (4), and if the wards have been so changed, any
person may qualify as a candidate for council member, using the person's
existing residence or by changing the person's residence, not less than fifteen
(15) days before the first party primary or special party primary, as the case
may be, notwithstanding any other residency or qualification requirements to
the contrary.
(b) The * * * Legislature shall
designate the geographical boundaries of the wards within one hundred twenty
(120) days after the election in which the mayor-council form of government is
selected. In designating the geographical boundaries of the wards, each ward
shall contain, as nearly as possible, the population factor obtained by
dividing the municipality's population as shown by the most recent decennial
census by the number of wards into which the municipality is to be divided.
(c) (i) It shall be
the mandatory duty of the * * *council Legislature to redistrict the municipality by
ordinance, which ordinance may not be vetoed by the mayor, within six (6)
months after the official publication by the United States of the population of
the municipality as enumerated in each decennial census, and within six (6)
months after the effective date of any expansion of municipal boundaries;
however, if the publication of the most recent decennial census or effective
date of an expansion of the municipal boundaries occurs six (6) months or more
before the first party primary of a general municipal election, then the * * * Legislature shall redistrict the
municipality by ordinance not less than sixty (60) days before the first party
primary.
(ii) If the publication of the most recent decennial census occurs less than six (6) months before the first primary of a general municipal election, the election shall be held with regard to the existing defined wards; reapportioned wards based on the census shall not serve as the basis for representation until the next regularly scheduled election in which council members shall be elected.
(d) If annexation of
additional territory into the municipal corporate limits of the municipality
occurs less than six (6) months before the first party primary of a general
municipal election, the * * *council Legislature shall, by ordinance adopted within
three (3) days of the effective date of the annexation, assign the annexed
territory to an adjacent ward or wards so as to maintain as nearly as possible
substantial equality of population between wards; any subsequent redistricting of
the municipality by ordinance as required by this chapter shall not serve as
the basis for representation until the next regularly scheduled election for
municipal council members.
(5) Vacancies occurring in the council shall be filled as provided in Section 23-15-857.
(6) The mayor shall maintain an office at the city hall. The council members shall not maintain individual offices at the city hall; however, in a municipality having a population of one hundred thousand (100,000) and above according to the latest federal decennial census, council members may have individual offices in the city hall. Clerical work of council members in the performance of the duties of their office shall be performed by municipal employees or at municipal expense, and council members shall be reimbursed for the reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of their office.
SECTION 8. Section 21-9-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-9-15. (1) (a) The legislative power of any city in which the council-manager plan of government is in effect under this chapter shall be vested in a council consisting of a mayor and five (5) councilmen.
(b) Any city with a larger or smaller number of councilmen, prior to September 30, 1962, may retain this larger or smaller number of councilmen or may adopt the council size of five (5) as prescribed herein. This option shall be exercised through the enactment of an appropriate ordinance by the municipal governing body prior to the election to adopt the council-manager plan of government. In the event the council fails to exercise this option, the council shall consist of five (5) councilmen.
(c) At the next regular municipal election which takes place after the adoption of the council-manager form of government, the mayor shall be elected at large by the voters of the entire city. Also, the councilmen shall be elected at large by the voters of the entire city to represent a city-wide district, or each of four (4) councilmen may be elected from a ward to represent such ward and one (1) councilman may be elected to represent a city-wide district. This option shall be exercised by an appropriate ordinance enacted by the city governing body prior to the election to adopt the council-manager plan of government. In the event the council fails to exercise this option, the councilmen shall be elected at large to represent the city-wide district. In its discretion at any time after adoption and implementation of the council-manager plan of government the council may provide for the election of councilmen by wards as provided herein, which shall become effective at the next regularly scheduled election for city councilmen.
(d) Councilmen elected to represent wards must be residents of their wards; and in cities having more or fewer than five (5) councilmen, prior to September 30, 1962, the city governing body shall determine the number of councilmen to represent the wards and the number of councilmen to represent the city-wide district.
(e) The council of any municipality having a population exceeding forty-five thousand (45,000) inhabitants according to the 1970 decennial census which is situated in a Class 1 county bordering on the State of Alabama and which is governed by a council-manager plan of government on January 1, 1977, may, in its discretion, adopt an ordinance to require the election of four (4) of the five (5) council members from wards and not from the city at large. The four (4) council members shall be elected one (1) each from the wards in which they reside in the municipality, and shall be elected only by the registered voters residing within the ward in which the council member resides. The mayor and fifth council member may continue to be elected from the city at large. Any council member who shall remove his residence from the ward from which he was elected shall, by operation of law, vacate his seat on the council.
After publication of the
population of the municipality according to the * * * decennial census, the * * * Legislature
shall designate the geographical boundaries of new wards as provided in this
subparagraph. Each ward shall contain as nearly as possible the population
factor obtained by dividing by four (4) the city's population as shown by the
1980 and each most recent decennial census thereafter. It shall be the
mandatory duty of the * * *
Legislature to redistrict the city by ordinance, which ordinance may not
be vetoed by the mayor, within six (6) months after the official publication by
the United States of the population of the city as enumerated in each decennial
census, and within six (6) months after the effective date of any expansion of
municipal boundaries; provided, however, if the publication of the most recent
decennial census or effective date of an expansion of the municipal boundaries
occurs six (6) months or more prior to the first primary of a general municipal
election, then the * * *
Legislature shall redistrict the city by ordinance within at least sixty
(60) days of such first primary. If the publication of the most recent
decennial census occurs less than six (6) months prior to the first primary of
a general municipal election, the election shall be held with regard to currently
defined wards; and reapportioned wards based on the census shall not serve as
the basis for representation until the next regularly scheduled election in
which council members shall be elected. If annexation of additional territory
into the municipal corporate limits of the city shall occur less than six (6)
months prior to the first primary of a general municipal election, the city
council shall, by ordinance adopted within three (3) days of the effective date
of such annexation, assign such annexed territory to an adjacent ward or wards
so as to maintain as nearly as possible substantial equality of population
between wards. Any subsequent redistricting of the city by * * * the Legislature as required by
this section shall not serve as the basis for representation until the next
regularly scheduled election for city councilmen.
(2) However, in any municipality situated in a Class 1 county bordering on the Mississippi Sound and the State of Alabama, traversed by U.S. Highway 90, the legislative power of such municipality in which the council-manager plan of government is in effect shall be vested in a council consisting of a mayor and six (6) councilmen. In the next regular municipal election in such municipality, the mayor shall be elected at large by the voters of the entire municipality. Also, the councilmen shall be elected at large by the voters of the entire municipality to represent a municipality-wide district, or each of five (5) councilmen may be elected from one (1) of five (5) wards to represent said ward and one (1) councilman shall be elected to represent a municipality-wide district. This option as to wards shall be exercised by an appropriate ordinance enacted by the municipal governing body. In the event the council fails to exercise this option, the councilmen shall be elected at large to represent the municipality-wide district. Councilmen elected to represent wards must be residents of their wards.
The method of electing the mayor and councilmen shall be the same as otherwise provided by law except as provided in this chapter. The mayor and councilmen elected hereunder shall hold office for a term of four (4) years and until their successors are elected and qualified. No person shall be eligible to the office of mayor or councilman unless he is a qualified elector of such city.
(3) (a) In the event a city with a population of one hundred thousand (100,000) or more inhabitants according to the last decennial census adopts the council-manager form of government, the legislative power of said city shall be vested in a council consisting of a mayor and eight (8) councilmen.
(b) At the next regular municipal election which takes place after the adoption of the council-manager form of government, the mayor shall be elected at large by the voters of the entire municipality. The municipality shall be divided into five (5) wards with one (1) councilman to be elected from each ward by the voters of that ward, and three (3) councilmen to be elected from the municipality at large. Councilmen elected to represent wards must be residents of their wards at the time of qualification for election, and any councilman who removes his residence from the city or from the ward from which he was elected shall vacate his office.
(c) It shall be the
duty of the * * * Legislature at the time of the
adoption of the council-manager form of government to designate the
geographical boundaries of the five (5) wards within sixty (60) days after the election
in which the council-manager form is selected. In designating the geographical
boundaries of the five (5) wards, each ward shall contain as nearly as possible
the population factor obtained by dividing by five (5) the city's population as
shown by the most recent decennial census. It shall be the mandatory duty of
the * * *
Legislature to redistrict the city by ordinance, which ordinance may not
be vetoed by the mayor, within six (6) months after the official publication by
the United States of the population of the city as enumerated in each decennial
census, and within six (6) months after the effective date of any expansion of
municipal boundaries; however, if the publication of the most recent decennial
census or effective date of an expansion of the municipal boundaries occurs six
(6) months or more prior to the first primary of a general municipal election,
then the council shall redistrict the city by ordinance within at least sixty
(60) days of such first primary. If the publication of the most recent
decennial census occurs less than six (6) months prior to the first primary of
a general municipal election, the election shall be held with regard to
currently defined wards; and reapportioned wards based on the census shall not
serve as the basis for representation until the next regularly scheduled
election in which city councilmen shall be elected. If annexation of
additional territory into the municipal corporate limits of the city shall
occur less than six (6) months prior to the first primary of a general
municipal election, the city council shall, by ordinance adopted within three
(3) days of the effective date of such annexation, assign such annexed
territory to an adjacent ward or wards so as to maintain as nearly as possible
substantial equality of population between wards; any subsequent redistricting
of the city by ordinance as required by this section shall not serve as the
basis for representation until the next regularly scheduled election for city
councilmen.
(4) The method of electing the mayor and councilmen shall be the same as otherwise provided by law, except as provided in this chapter. The mayor and councilmen elected hereunder shall hold office for a term of four (4) years and until their successors are elected and qualified. No person shall be eligible to the office of mayor or councilman unless he is a qualified elector of such city.
SECTION 9. Section 21-9-59, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-9-59. The * * * Legislature is authorized to
provide * * *
for the division of the wards, or if there be no wards, for the division of the
municipality, into such number of voting precincts as may be necessary, each as
nearly as possible containing the same number of qualified electors.
SECTION 10. Section 37-5-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-5-1. (1) There is
hereby established a county board of education in each county of the State of
Mississippi. * * *
The county board of education shall consist of five (5) members, one (1)
of which, subject to the further provisions of this chapter and except as is
otherwise provided in Section 37-5-1(2), shall be elected by the qualified
electors of each board of education district of the county. Except as is
otherwise provided in Section 37-5-3, each member so elected shall be a
resident and qualified elector of the district from which he is elected.
(2) The * * * Legislature
shall apportion the county school district into five (5) single member board of
education districts. The county board of education shall place upon its
minutes the boundaries determined by the Legislature for the new five
(5) board of education districts. The board of education of * * * the county shall thereafter publish
the same in some newspaper of general circulation within * * * the county for at least three (3)
consecutive weeks and after having given notice of publication and recording
the same upon the minutes of the board of education of * * * the county, * * * the new district lines will
thereafter be effective. The * * * Legislature
shall reapportion the board of education districts in accordance with the
procedure described herein for the original apportionment of districts as soon
as practicable after the results of the * * * decennial census are published and as soon
as practicable after every decennial census thereafter.
(3) In counties where the office of "administrative superintendent" as defined in Section 37-6-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, has been abolished, there shall be no county board of education.
SECTION 11. Section 37-5-18, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-5-18. In any county bordering on the Mississippi Sound and having therein at least four (4) municipal separate school districts, each member of the county board of education established by Section 37-5-1 for such county shall be elected from and shall be a resident and qualified elector in a special district determined in the following manner:
The * * * Legislature
shall apportion the county into five (5) board of education districts in the
territory outside the municipal separate school districts and these board of
education districts shall be divided as nearly equal as possible according to
population, incumbency and other factors heretofore pronounced by the courts.
The board of education shall place upon its minutes the boundaries determined
for the new five (5) board of education districts. The board of education of * * * the county shall thereafter publish
the same in some newspaper of general circulation within * * * the county for at least three (3)
consecutive weeks and after having given notice of publication and recording
the same upon the minutes of the board of education of * * * the county, * * * the new district lines will
thereafter be effective.
All incumbents now holding office within the district as presently constituted shall continue holding their respective offices provided they reside within the new district for the remainder of the term of office to which they have heretofore been elected and all members from the respective district shall be elected from the new board of education district constituted as herein provided in the same manner provided by law for the election of members of the county board of education. Any vacancies in the office, whether occasioned by redistricting or by other cause, shall be filled in the manner presently provided by law for the filling of vacancies.
SECTION 12. Section 37-7-207, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-7-207. (1) All school
districts reconstituted or created under the provisions of Article 1 of this
chapter, and which lie wholly within one (1) county, but not including
municipal separate and countywide districts, shall be governed by a board of
five (5) trustees. The first board of trustees of such districts shall be
appointed by the county board of education, and the original appointments shall
be so made that one (1) trustee shall be appointed to serve until the first
Saturday of March following such appointments, one (1) for one (1) year longer,
one (1) for two (2) years longer, one (1) for three (3) years longer, and one
(1) for four (4) years longer. After such original appointments, the trustees
of such school districts shall be elected by the qualified electors of such
school districts in the manner provided for in Sections 37-7-223 through 37-7-229,
with each trustee to be elected for a term of five (5) years. The five (5)
members of the board of trustees of such consolidated school district shall be
elected from special trustee election districts by the qualified electors
thereof, as herein provided. The * * *
Legislature shall apportion the consolidated school district into five
(5) special trustee election districts. The board of trustees of such school
district shall place upon its minutes the boundaries determined for the new
five (5) trustee election districts. The board of trustees shall thereafter
publish the same in a newspaper of general circulation within * * * the school district for at least
three (3) consecutive weeks; and after having given notice of publication and
recording the same upon the minutes of the board of trustees, * * * the new district lines shall
thereafter be effective.
On the first Tuesday after
the first Monday in November, in any year in which any consolidated school
district shall elect to * * *utilize use the authority to create single member
election districts, an election shall be held in each such district in this
state for the purpose of electing the board of trustees of such district. At * * * the election the member of the * * * board from District One shall be elected
for a term of one (1) year, the member from District Two shall be elected for a
term of two (2) years, the member from District Three shall be elected for a
term of three (3) years, the member from District Four shall be elected for a
term of four (4) years, and the member from District Five shall be elected for
a term of five (5) years. Thereafter, members shall be elected at general
elections as vacancies occur for terms of five (5) years each. Trustees
elected from single member election districts as provided above shall otherwise
be elected as provided for in Sections 37-7-223 through 37-7-229. All members
of the * * *
board of trustees shall take office on the first Monday of January following
the date of their election. All vacancies which may occur during a term shall
be filled by appointment of the consolidated school district trustees, but the
person so appointed shall serve only until the next general election following
such appointment, at which time a person shall be elected for the remainder of
the unexpired term at the same time and in the same manner as a trustee is
elected for the full term then expiring. The person so elected to the
unexpired term shall take office immediately. * * * The appointee shall be selected
from the qualified electors of the district in which the vacancy occurs. In
the event the school district is under conservatorship and no members of the
board of trustees remain in office, the Governor shall call a special election
to fill the vacancies and the * * * election will be conducted by the county
election commission.
(2) All school districts
reconstituted and created under the provisions of Article 1 of this chapter,
which embrace territory in two (2) or more counties, but not including
municipal separate school districts, shall be governed by a board of five (5)
trustees. In making the original appointments, the several county boards of
education shall appoint the trustee or trustees to which the territory in such
county is entitled, and, by agreement between the county boards concerned, one
(1) person shall be appointed to serve until the first Saturday of March
following, one (1) for one (1) year longer, one (1) for two (2) years longer,
one (1) for three (3) years longer and one (1) for four (4) years longer.
Thereafter, such trustees shall be elected as is provided for in Sections 37-7-223
through 37-7-229, for a term of five (5) years. The five (5) members of the
board of trustees of such line consolidated school district shall be elected
from special trustee election districts by the qualified electors thereof, as
herein provided. The * * * Legislature
shall apportion the line consolidated school district into five (5) special
trustee election districts. The board of trustees shall place upon its minutes
the boundaries determined for the new five (5) trustee election districts. The
board of trustees shall thereafter publish the same in a newspaper of general
circulation within * * *
the school district for at least three (3) consecutive weeks; and after
having given notice of publication and recording the same upon the minutes of
the board of trustees, * * *
the new district lines shall thereafter be effective. Provided,
however, that in any line consolidated school district encompassing two (2) or
more counties created pursuant to Laws, 1953, Extraordinary Session, Chapter
12, Section 8, in which, as a condition precedent to the creation of * * * the district, each county belonging
thereto was contractually guaranteed to always have at least one (1)
representative on * * *
the board, in order that * * * the condition precedent may be honored
and guaranteed, in any year in which the board of trustees of such line
consolidated school district does not have at least one (1) member from each
county or part thereof forming such district, the board of trustees in such
district shall be governed by a board of a sufficient number of trustees to
fulfill this guarantee, five (5) of whom shall be elected from the five (5)
special trustee election districts which shall be as nearly equal as possible
and one (1) member trustee appointed at large from each county not having
representation on the elected board. In such cases, the board of supervisors
of each county shall make written agreement to guarantee the manner of
appointment of at least one (1) representative from each county in the
district, placing such written agreement on the minutes of each board of
supervisors in each county.
On the first Tuesday after
the first Monday in November, in any year in which any line consolidated school
district shall elect to * * *utilize use the authority to create single member
election districts, an election shall be held in each such district in this
state for the purpose of electing the board of trustees of such district. At * * * the election the member of the * * * board from District One shall be elected
for a term of one (1) year, the member from District Two shall be elected for a
term of two (2) years, the member from District Three shall be elected for a
term of three (3) years, the member from District Four shall be elected for a
term of four (4) years, and the member from District Five shall be elected for
a term of five (5) years. Thereafter, members shall be elected at general
elections as vacancies occur for terms of five (5) years each. Trustees
elected from single member election districts as provided above shall otherwise
be elected as provided for in Sections 37-7-223 through 37-7-229. All members
of the * * *
board of trustees shall take office on the first Monday of January following
the date of their election. In all elections, the trustee elected shall be a
resident and qualified elector of the district entitled to the representation
upon the board, and he shall be elected only by the qualified electors of such
district. All vacancies which may occur during a term of office shall be
filled by appointment of the consolidated line school district trustees, but
the person so appointed shall serve only until the next general election
following such appointment, at which time a person shall be elected for the
remainder of the unexpired term at the same time and in the same manner as the
trustee is elected for the full term then expiring. The person so elected to
the unexpired term shall take office immediately. In the event the school
district is under conservatorship and no members of the board of trustees
remain in office, the Governor shall call a special election to fill the
vacancies and the * * *
election will be conducted by the county election commission.
SECTION 13. Section 23-15-1037, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
23-15-1037. (1) The State of Mississippi is hereby divided into five (5) congressional districts below:
FIRST DISTRICT. — The First Congressional District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties:
Alcorn, Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Choctaw, DeSoto, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Webster, Yalobusha; in Grenada County the precincts of Providence, Mt. Nebo, Hardy and Pea Ridge; in Montgomery County the precincts of North Winona, Lodi, Stewart, Nations and Poplar Creek; in Oktibbeha County, the precincts of Double Springs, Maben and Sturgis; in Panola County the precincts of East Sardis, South Curtis, Tocowa, Pope, Courtland, Cole's Point, North Springport, South Springport, Eureka, Williamson, East Batesville 4, West Batesville 4, Fern Hill, North Batesville A, East Batesville 5 and West Batesville 5; and in Tallahatchie County the precincts of Teasdale, Enid, Springhill, Charleston Beat 1, Charleston Beat 2, Charleston Beat 3, Paynes, Leverette, Cascilla, Murphreesboro and Rosebloom.
SECOND DISTRICT. — The Second Congressional District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties:
Bolivar, Carroll, Claiborne, Coahoma, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Leflore, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tunica, Warren, Washington, Yazoo; in Attala County the precincts of Northeast, Hesterville, Possomneck, North Central, McAdams, Newport, Sallis and Southwest; that portion of Grenada County not included in the First Congressional District; in Hinds County Precincts 11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 40, 41, 83, 84 and 85, and the precincts of Bolton, Brownsville, Cayuga, Chapel Hill, Cynthia, Edwards, Learned, Pine Haven, Pocahontas, St. Thomas, Tinnin, Utica 1 and Utica 2; in Leake County the precincts of Conway, West Carthage, Wiggins, Thomastown and Ofahoma; in Madison County the precincts of Farmhaven, Canton Precinct 2, Canton Precinct 3, Cameron Street, Canton Precinct 6, Bear Creek, Gluckstadt, Smith School, Magnolia Heights, Flora, Virlilia, Canton Precinct 5, Cameron, Couparle, Camden, Sharon, Canton Precinct 1 and Canton Precinct 4; that portion of Montgomery County not included in the First Congressional District; that portion of Panola County not included in the First Congressional District; and that portion of Tallahatchie County not included in the First Congressional District.
THIRD DISTRICT. — The Third Congressional District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties:
Clarke, Clay, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Rankin, Scott, Smith, Winston; that portion of Attala County not included in the Second Congressional District; in Jones County the precincts of Northwest High School, Shady Grove, Sharon, Erata, Glade, Myrick School, Northeast High School, Rustin, Sandersville Civic Center, Tuckers, Antioch and Landrum; that portion of Leake County not included in the Second Congressional District; that portion of Madison County not included in the Second Congressional District; that portion of Oktibbeha County not included in the First Congressional District; and in Wayne County the precincts of Big Rock, Yellow Creek, Hiwannee, Diamond, Chaparral, Matherville, Coit and Eucutta.
FOURTH DISTRICT. — The Fourth Congressional District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties:
Adams, Amite, Copiah, Covington, Franklin, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Simpson, Walthall, Wilkinson; that portion of Hinds County not included in the Second Congressional District; and that portion of Jones County not included in the Third Congressional District.
FIFTH DISTRICT. — The Fifth Congressional District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties:
Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Pearl River, Perry, Stone; and that portion of Wayne County not included in the Third Congressional District.
(2) The boundaries of the congressional districts described in subsection (1) of this section shall be the boundaries of the counties and precincts listed in subsection (1) as such boundaries existed on October 1, 1990.
SECTION 14. Section 9-3-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-3-1. The state shall be divided into three (3) Supreme Court districts, as follows, to wit:
The counties of Bolivar, Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Madison, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Rankin, Scott, Sharkey, Sunflower, Warren, Washington and Yazoo shall constitute the First District.
The counties of Adams, Amite, Clarke, Covington, Forrest, Franklin, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Walthall, Wayne, and Wilkinson shall constitute the Second District.
The counties of Alcorn, Attala, Benton, Calhoun, Carroll, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay, Coahoma, DeSoto, Grenada, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Marshall, Monroe, Montgomery, Oktibbeha, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, Webster, Winston and Yalobusha, shall constitute the Third District.
SECTION 15. Section 9-4-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-4-5. (1) The term of office of judges of the Court of Appeals shall be eight (8) years. An election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 1994, to elect the ten (10) judges of the Court of Appeals, two (2) from each congressional district; provided, however, judges of the Court of Appeals who are elected to take office after the first Monday of January 2002, shall be elected from the Court of Appeals Districts described in subsection (5) of this section. The judges of the Court of Appeals shall begin service on the first Monday of January 1995.
(2) (a) In order to provide that the offices of not more than a majority of the judges of said court shall become vacant at any one (1) time, the terms of office of six (6) of the judges first to be elected shall expire in less than eight (8) years. For the purpose of all elections of members of the court, each of the ten (10) judges of the Court of Appeals shall be considered a separate office. The two (2) offices in each of the five (5) districts shall be designated Position Number 1 and Position Number 2, and in qualifying for office as a candidate for any office of judge of the Court of Appeals each candidate shall state the position number of the office to which he aspires and the election ballots shall so indicate.
(i) In Congressional District Number 1, the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 1 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 1999, and the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 2 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 2003.
(ii) In Congressional District Number 2, the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 1 shall be that office for which the term ends on January 1, 2003, and the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 2 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 2001.
(iii) In Congressional District Number 3, the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 1 shall be that office for which the term ends on January 1, 2001, and the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 2 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 1999.
(iv) In Congressional District Number 4, the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 1 shall be that office for which the term ends on January 1, 1999, and the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 2 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 2003.
(v) In Congressional District Number 5, the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 1 shall be that office for which the term ends on January 1, 2003, and the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 2 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 2001.
(b) The laws regulating the general elections shall apply to and govern the elections of judges of the Court of Appeals except as otherwise provided in Sections 23-15-974 through 23-15-985.
(c) In the year prior to the expiration of the term of an incumbent, and likewise each eighth year thereafter, an election shall be held in the manner provided in this section in the district from which the incumbent Court of Appeals judge was elected at which there shall be elected a successor to the incumbent, whose term of office shall thereafter begin on the first Monday of January of the year in which the term of the incumbent he succeeds expires.
(3) No person shall be eligible for the office of judge of the Court of Appeals who has not attained the age of thirty (30) years at the time of his election and who has not been a practicing attorney and citizen of the state for five (5) years immediately preceding such election.
(4) Any vacancy on the Court of Appeals shall be filled by appointment of the Governor for that portion of the unexpired term prior to the election to fill the remainder of said term according to provisions of Section 23-15-849, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(5) (a) The State of Mississippi is hereby divided into five (5) Court of Appeals Districts as follows:
FIRST DISTRICT. The First Court of Appeals District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties: Alcorn, Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Choctaw, DeSoto, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Webster and Yalobusha; in Grenada County the precincts of Providence, Mt. Nebo, Hardy and Pea Ridge; in Montgomery County the precincts of North Winona, Lodi, Stewart, Nations and Poplar Creek; in Panola County the precincts of East Sardis, South Curtis, Tocowa, Pope, Courtland, Cole's Point, North Springport, South Springport, Eureka, Williamson, East Batesville 4, West Batesville 4, Fern Hill, North Batesville A, East Batesville 5 and West Batesville 5; and in Tallahatchie County the precincts of Teasdale, Enid, Springhill, Charleston Beat 1, Charleston Beat 2, Charleston Beat 3, Paynes, Leverette, Cascilla, Murphreesboro and Rosebloom.
SECOND DISTRICT. The Second Court of Appeals District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties: Bolivar, Carroll, Claiborne, Coahoma, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Leflore, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tunica, Warren, Washington and Yazoo; in Attala County the precincts of Northeast, Hesterville, Possomneck, North Central, McAdams, Newport, Sallis and Southwest; that portion of Grenada County not included in the First Court of Appeals District; in Hinds County Precincts 11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 40, 41, 83, 84 and 85, and the precincts of Bolton, Brownsville, Cayuga, Chapel Hill, Cynthia, Edwards, Learned, Pine Haven, Pocahontas, St. Thomas, Tinnin, Utica 1 and Utica 2; in Leake County the precincts of Conway, West Carthage, Wiggins, Thomastown and Ofahoma; in Madison County the precincts of Farmhaven, Canton Precinct 2, Canton Precinct 3, Cameron Street, Canton Precinct 6, Bear Creek, Gluckstadt, Smith School, Magnolia Heights, Flora, Virlilia, Canton Precinct 5, Cameron, Couparle, Camden, Sharon, Canton Precinct 1 and Canton Precinct 4; that portion of Montgomery County not included in the First Court of Appeals District; that portion of Panola County not included in the First Court of Appeals District; and that portion of Tallahatchie County not included in the First Court of Appeals District.
THIRD DISTRICT. The Third Court of Appeals District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties: Clarke, Clay, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Rankin, Scott, Smith and Winston; that portion of Attala County not included in the Second Court of Appeals District; in Jones County the precincts of Northwest High School, Shady Grove, Sharon, Erata, Glade, Myrick School, Northeast High School, Rustin, Sandersville Civic Center, Tuckers, Antioch and Landrum; that portion of Leake County not included in the Second Court of Appeals District; that portion of Madison County not included in the Second Court of Appeals District; and in Wayne County the precincts of Big Rock, Yellow Creek, Hiwannee, Diamond, Chaparral, Matherville, Coit and Eucutta.
FOURTH DISTRICT. The Fourth Court of Appeals District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties: Adams, Amite, Copiah, Covington, Franklin, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Simpson, Walthall and Wilkinson; that portion of Hinds County not included in the Second Court of Appeals District; and that portion of Jones county not included in the Third Court of Appeals District.
FIFTH DISTRICT. The Fifth Court of Appeals District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties: Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Pearl River, Perry and Stone; and that portion of Wayne County not included in the Third Court of Appeals District.
(b) The boundaries of the Court of Appeals Districts described in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be the boundaries of the counties and precincts listed in paragraph (a) of this subsection as such boundaries existed on October 1, 1990.
SECTION 16. Section 9-5-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-5. The First Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Alcorn County;
(b) Itawamba County;
(c) Lee County;
(d) Monroe County;
(e) Pontotoc County;
(f) Prentiss County;
(g) Tishomingo County; and
(h) Union County.
SECTION 17. Section 9-5-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-7. (1) There shall be four (4) chancellors for the First Chancery Court District.
(2) The four (4) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two," "Place Three" and "Place Four." The chancellor to fill Place One must be a resident of Alcorn, Prentiss or Tishomingo County. The chancellors to fill Place Two and Place Three must reside in Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc or Union County. The chancellor to fill Place Four may be a resident of any county in the district. Election of the four (4) offices of chancellor shall be by election to be held in every county within the First Chancery Court District.
SECTION 18. Section 9-5-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-9. The Second Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Jasper County;
(b) Newton County; and
(c) Scott County.
SECTION 19. Section 9-5-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-11. (1) The Third Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) DeSoto County;
(b) Grenada County;
(c) Montgomery County;
(d) Panola County;
(e) Tate County; and
(f) Yalobusha County.
(2) The Third Chancery Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 3-1 shall consist of DeSoto County.
(b) Subdistrict 3-2 shall consist of Grenada County, Montgomery County, Panola County, Tate County and Yalobusha County.
SECTION 20. Section 9-5-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-13. (1) There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Third Chancery Court District.
(2) (a) The chancellor of Subdistrict 3-1 shall be elected from DeSoto County. The two (2) chancellors of Subdistrict 3-2 shall be elected from Grenada County, Montgomery County, Panola County, Tate County and Yalobusha County.
(b) For purposes of appointment and election, the three (3) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct. The chancellorship in Subdistrict 3-1 shall be denominated only as "Place One," and the chancellorships in Subdistrict 3-2 shall be denominated only as "Place Two" and "Place Three."
SECTION 21. Section 9-5-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-15. (1) The Fourth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Amite County;
(b) Franklin County;
(c) Pike County; and
(d) Walthall County.
(2) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Fourth Chancery Court District. The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 22. Section 9-5-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-17. (1) The Fifth Chancery Court District is composed of Hinds County.
(2) The Fifth Chancery Court District shall be divided into the following four (4) subdistricts:
(a) Subdistrict 5-1 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 44, 45, 46, 47, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 92, 93, 96 and 97.
(b) Subdistrict 5-2 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, Brownsville, Cynthia, Pocahontas and Tinnin.
(c) Subdistrict 5-3 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 31, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 86, 89 and Jackson State.
(d) Subdistrict 5-4 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 87, 88, 90, 91, 94, 95, Bolton, Byram 1, Byram 2, Cayuga, Chapel Hill, Clinton 1, Clinton 2, Clinton 3, Clinton 4, Clinton 5, Clinton 6, Dry Grove, Edwards, Learned, Old Byram, Pinehaven, Raymond 1, Raymond 2, Spring Ridge, St. Thomas, Terry, Utica 1 and Utica 2.
SECTION 23. Section 9-5-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-19. (1) There shall be four (4) chancellors for the Fifth Chancery Court District. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from each subdistrict.
(2) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the said chancellors other than as cast upon them by the Constitution and laws of this state, the court in the First Judicial District of Hinds County, in the discretion of the senior chancellor, may be divided into four (4) divisions as a matter of convenience by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.
SECTION 24. Section 9-5-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-21. The Sixth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Attala County;
(b) Carroll County;
(c) Choctaw County;
(d) Kemper County;
(e) Neshoba County; and
(f) Winston County.
SECTION 25. Section 9-5-22, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-22. (1) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Sixth Chancery Court District.
(2) The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 26. Section 9-5-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-23. (1) The Seventh Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Bolivar County;
(b) Coahoma County;
(c) Leflore County;
(d) Quitman County;
(e) Tallahatchie County; and
(f) Tunica County.
(2) The Seventh Chancery Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 7-1 shall consist of Bolivar County and Coahoma County;
(b) Subdistrict 7-2 shall consist of Leflore County, Quitman County, Tallahatchie County and Tunica County.
SECTION 27. Section 9-5-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-25. There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Seventh Chancery Court District. The three (3) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from Subdistrict 7-1 and shall be denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," and two (2) chancellors shall be elected from Subdistrict 7-2 and shall be denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place Two" and "Place Three."
SECTION 28. Section 9-5-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-27. The Eighth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Hancock County;
(b) Harrison County; and
(c) Stone County.
SECTION 29. Section 9-5-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-29. (1) There shall be four (4) chancellors for the Eighth Chancery Court District.
(2) The four (4) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two," "Place Three" and "Place Four."
(3) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the chancellors other than as cast upon them by the Constitution and laws of this state, the court in the Eighth Chancery Court District, in the discretion of the senior chancellor, may be divided into four (4) divisions as a matter of convenience by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.
SECTION 30. Section 9-5-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-31. (1) The Ninth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Humphreys County;
(b) Issaquena County;
(c) Sharkey County;
(d) Sunflower County;
(e) Warren County; and
(f) Washington County.
(2) The Ninth Chancery Court District shall be divided into three (3) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 9-1 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Sunflower County: Boyer-Linn, Drew, Fairview-Hale, Indianola 2 East*, Indianola 3 North*, Indianola 3 Northeast*, Indianola 3 South*, Rome, Ruleville, Ruleville North and Sunflower Plantation; and
(ii) Washington County: American Legion, Brent Center, Buster Brown Community Center, Darlove Baptist Church*, Elks Club, Extension Building, Grace Methodist Church*, Greenville Industrial College, Leland Health Department Clinic, Leland Rotary Club, Metcalf City Hall and Potter House Church.
(b) Subdistrict 9-2 shall consist of Humphreys County and the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Sunflower County: Doddsville, Indianola 2 East*, Indianola 2 West, Indianola 3 North*, Indianola 3 Northeast*, Indianola 3 South*, Indianola Southeast, Inverness, Moorhead, Sunflower 3 and Sunflower 4; and
(ii) Washington County: Arcola City Hall, Christ Wesleyan Methodist Church, Darlove Baptist Church*, Glen Allan Health Clinic, Grace Methodist Church*, Hollandale City Hall, St. James Episcopal Church, Swiftwater Baptist Church, Tampa Drive and Ward's Recreation Center.
(c) Subdistrict 9-3 shall consist of Issaquena County, Sharkey County and Warren County.
SECTION 31. Section 9-5-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-33. There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Ninth Chancery Court District. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from each subdistrict.
SECTION 32. Section 9-5-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-35. The Tenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Forrest County;
(b) Lamar County;
(c) Marion County;
(d) Pearl River County; and
(e) Perry County.
SECTION 33. Section 9-5-36, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-36. (1) There shall be four (4) chancellors for the Tenth Chancery Court District.
(2) The four (4) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two," "Place Three" and "Place Four." The chancellor to fill Place One and Place Four may be a resident of any county in the district. The chancellor to fill Place Two must be a resident of Lamar, Marion, Pearl River or Perry County. The chancellor to fill Place Three must be a resident of Forrest County. Election of the four (4) offices of chancellor shall be by election to be held in every county within the Tenth Chancery Court District.
SECTION 34. Section 9-5-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-37. (1) The Eleventh Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Holmes County;
(b) Leake County;
(c) Madison County; and
(d) Yazoo County.
(2) The Eleventh Chancery Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 11-1 shall consist of Holmes County, Yazoo County and the following precincts in Madison County: Bible Church, Canton 4, Canton 5, Flora, Madison County Baptist Family Life Center, Magnolia Heights and Smith School;
(b) Subdistrict 11-2 shall consist of Leake County and the following precincts in Madison County: Bear Creek, Camden, Cameron, Canton 1, Canton 2, Canton 3, Canton 7, Cedar Grove, Cobblestone, Couparle, Gluckstadt, Highland Colony Baptist Church, Liberty, Lorman/Cavalier, Luther Branson School, Madison 1, Madison 2, Madison 3, Main Harbor, New Industrial Park, North Bay, Ratliff Ferry, Ridgeland 1, Ridgeland 3, Ridgeland 4, Ridgeland First Methodist Church, Ridgeland Tennis Center, Sharon, Sunnybrook, Tougaloo, Trace Harbor, Victory Baptist Church, Virlilia, Whisper Lake and Yandell Road.
SECTION 35. Section 9-5-38, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-38. There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Eleventh Chancery Court District. The three (3) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from Subdistrict 11-1 and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," one (1) chancellor shall be elected from Subdistrict 11-2 and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place Two," and one (1) chancellor shall be elected at large from the entire Eleventh Chancery Court District and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place Three."
SECTION 36. Section 9-5-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-39. The Twelfth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Clarke County; and
(b) Lauderdale County.
SECTION 37. Section 9-5-40, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-40. (1) There shall be two (2) judges for the Twelfth Chancery Court District.
(2) The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 38. Section 9-5-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-41. (1) The Thirteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Covington County;
(b) Jefferson Davis County;
(c) Lawrence County;
(d) Simpson County; and
(e) Smith County.
(2) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Thirteenth Chancery Court District. The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 39. Section 9-5-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-43. (1) The Fourteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Chickasaw County;
(b) Clay County;
(c) Lowndes County;
(d) Noxubee County;
(e) Oktibbeha County; and
(f) Webster County.
(2) The Fourteenth Chancery Court District shall be divided into three (3) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 14-1 shall consist of Chickasaw County, Webster County and the following precincts in Oktibbeha County: Bell Schoolhouse*, Bradley, Center Grove, Central Starkville*, Craig Springs, Double Springs, East Starkville*, Gillespie Street Center*, Maben, North Adaton, North Longview, North Starkville 2*, North Starkville 3, Northeast Starkville, Self Creek, South Adaton, South Longview, South Starkville*, Sturgis and West Starkville*.
(b) Subdistrict 14-2 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Clay County: Cedar Bluff, Central West Point, East West Point, Siloam, South West Point and Vinton; and
(ii) Lowndes County: Air Base A, Air Base B, Air Base C, Air Base D, Air Base E, Brandon A, Brandon B, Brandon C, Brandon D, Caledonia, Columbus High School A, Columbus High School B, Columbus High School C, Columbus High School D, Dowdle Gas Training Center B, Fairgrounds C, Fairgrounds E, Fairgrounds F, Hunt C, Lee Middle School, Mitchell A, New Hope A, New Hope B, New Hope C, New Hope D, New Hope E, Rural Hill A, Rural Hill B, Rural Hill C, Sale A, Sale B, Sale C, Steens A, Steens B, Steens C, Trinity B, Union Academy B, Union Academy C and University A.
(c) Subdistrict 14-3 shall consist of Noxubee County and the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Clay County: Cairo, Caradine, North West Point, Pheba, Pine Bluff, Tibbee, Union Star and West Point;
(ii) Lowndes County: Artesia, Coleman A, Coleman B, Crawford A, Fairgrounds A, Fairgrounds B, Fairgrounds D, Fairgrounds G, Hunt A, Hunt B, Mitchell B, New Hope F, Plum Grove A, Plum Grove B, Plum Grove C, Propst Park Community Hut, Trinity A, Union Academy A, University B, West Lowndes A and West Lowndes B; and
(iii) Oktibbeha County: Bell Schoolhouse*, Central Starkville*, East Starkville*, Gillespie Street Center*, Hickory Grove, North Starkville 2*, Oktoc, Osborn, Sessums, South Starkville*, Southeast Oktibbeha and West Starkville*.
SECTION 40. Section 9-5-45, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-45. There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Fourteenth Chancery Court District. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from each subdistrict.
SECTION 41. Section 9-5-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-47. The Fifteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Copiah County; and
(b) Lincoln County.
SECTION 42. Section 9-5-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-49. The Sixteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) George County;
(b) Greene County; and
(c) Jackson County.
SECTION 43. Section 9-5-50, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-50. (1) There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Sixteenth Chancery Court District.
(2) The three (3) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two" and "Place Three."
SECTION 44. Section 9-5-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-51. (1) The Seventeenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Adams County;
(b) Claiborne County;
(c) Jefferson County; and
(d) Wilkinson County.
(2) The Seventeenth Chancery Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 17-1 shall consist of Claiborne County, Jefferson County, and the following precincts in Adams County: Airport Carpenter*, Convention Center*, Foster Mound, Maryland*, Northside School, Palestine, Pine Ridge, Thompson and Washington*.
(b) Subdistrict 17-2 shall consist of Wilkinson County and the following precincts in Adams County: Beau Pre, Bellemont, By-Pass Fire Station, Carpenter*, Concord, Convention Center*, Courthouse, Duncan Park, Kingston, Liberty Park, Maryland*, Morgantown, Oakland and Washington*.
(3) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Seventeenth Chancery Court District. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from each subdistrict.
SECTION 45. Section 9-5-53, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-53. The Eighteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Benton County;
(b) Calhoun County;
(c) Lafayette County;
(d) Marshall County; and
(e) Tippah County.
SECTION 46. Section 9-5-54, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-54. (1) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Eighteenth Chancery Court District.
(2) The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 47. Section 9-5-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-55. The Nineteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Jones County; and
(b) Wayne County.
SECTION 48. Section 9-5-57, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-57. The Twentieth Chancery Court District shall be Rankin County.
SECTION 49. Section 9-5-58, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-5-58. There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Twentieth Chancery Court District. For purposes of appointment and election the three (3) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two" and "Place Three."
SECTION 50. Section 9-7-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-5. The First Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Alcorn County;
(b) Itawamba County;
(c) Lee County;
(d) Monroe County;
(e) Pontotoc County;
(f) Prentiss County; and
(g) Tishomingo County.
SECTION 51. Section 9-7-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-7. (1) There shall be four (4) judges for the First Circuit Court District.
(2) The four (4) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two," "Place Three" and "Place Four." The judge to fill Place One must reside in Alcorn, Prentiss or Tishomingo County. The judges to fill Place Two and Place Three must reside in Itawamba, Lee, Monroe or Pontotoc County. The judge to fill Place Four may be a resident of any county in the district. Election of the four (4) offices of judge shall be by election to be held in every county within the First Circuit Court District.
SECTION 52. Section 9-7-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-9. The Second Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Hancock County;
(b) Harrison County; and
(c) Stone County.
SECTION 53. Section 9-7-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-11. (1) There shall be four (4) judges for the Second Circuit Court District.
(2) The four (4) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two," "Place Three" and "Place Four."
SECTION 54. Section 9-7-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-13. The Third Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Benton County;
(b) Calhoun County;
(c) Chickasaw County;
(d) Lafayette County;
(e) Marshall County;
(f) Tippah County; and
(g) Union County.
SECTION 55. Section 9-7-14, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-14. (1) There shall be three (3) judges for the Third Circuit Court District.
(2) The three (3) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two" and "Place Three."
SECTION 56. Section 9-7-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-15. (1) The Fourth Circuit Court District shall be composed of the following counties:
(a) Leflore County;
(b) Sunflower County; and
(c) Washington County.
(2) The Fourth Circuit Court District shall be divided into four (4) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 4-1 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Leflore County: Minter City, North Greenwood, Money, Northeast Greenwood, Schlater, West Greenwood, Mississippi Valley State University and Southeast Greenwood Precincts; and
(ii) Sunflower County: Ruleville, Rome, Sunflower Plantation, Drew, Doddsville, Boyer-Linn, Fairview-Hale and Ruleville North Precincts.
(b) Subdistrict 4-2 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Sunflower County: Indianola 1, Sunflower, Indianola 3 North, Indianola 3 South and Indianola 3 Northeast Precincts; and
(ii) Washington County: Extension Building, Faith Lutheran Church, American Legion, Metcalfe City Hall, Elks Club, Leland Health Department Clinic, Leland Light and Water Plant and Greenville Industrial College Precincts.
(c) Subdistrict 4-3 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Leflore County: East Greenwood Sub-A, East Greenwood Sub-B, Central Greenwood, North Itta Bena, South Itta Bena, Southwest Greenwood, Rising Sun, Sidon, Morgan City, Swiftown and South Greenwood Precincts;
(ii) Sunflower County: Moorhead, Inverness, Indianola 2 West and Indianola 2 East Precincts; and
(iii) Washington County: Arcola City Hall, Hollandale City Hall, Darlove Baptist Church and Mangelardi Bourbon Store Precincts.
(d) Subdistrict 4-4 shall consist of the following precincts in Washington County: St. James Episcopal Church, Swiftwater Baptist Church, Glen Allan Health Clinic, Italian Club, Ward's Recreation Center, Buster Brown Community Center, Avon Health Center, Kapco Company, Brent Center, William Percy Library and Grace Methodist Church Precincts.
(3) The local contributions required for the maintenance of the Fourth Circuit Court District shall be paid on a pro rata basis each by Leflore, Sunflower and Washington Counties.
SECTION 57. Section 9-7-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-17. There shall be four (4) circuit judges for the Fourth Circuit Court District. One (1) circuit judge shall be elected from each subdistrict.
SECTION 58. Section 9-7-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-19. The Fifth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Attala County;
(b) Carroll County;
(c) Choctaw County;
(d) Grenada County;
(e) Montgomery County;
(f) Webster County; and
(g) Winston County.
SECTION 59. Section 9-7-20, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-20. (1) There shall be two (2) judges for the Fifth Circuit Court District.
(2) The two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 60. Section 9-7-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-21. (1) The Sixth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Adams County;
(b) Amite County;
(c) Franklin County; and
(d) Wilkinson County.
(2) The Sixth Circuit Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 6-1 shall consist of Wilkinson County and the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Adams County: Airport, By-Pass Fire Station, Carpenter, Concord*, Courthouse*, Duncan Park*, Foster Mound, Maryland*, Northside School, Pine Ridge, Thompson and Washington*; and
(ii) Amite County: Ariel, Berwick, Crosby, East Centreville, East Gloster*, Gloster*, Homochitto, South Liberty* and Street.
(b) Subdistrict 6-2 shall consist of Franklin County and the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Adams County: Beau Pre, Bellemont, Concord*, Convention Center, Courthouse*, Duncan Park*, Kingston, Liberty Park, Maryland*, Morgantown, Oakland, Palestine and Washington*; and
(ii) Amite County: Amite River, East Fork, East Gloster*, East Liberty, Gloster*, Liberty, New Zion, Oneil, Riceville, Smithdale, South Liberty*, Tangipahoa, Tickfaw, Walls and Zion Hills.
(3) There shall be two (2) judges for the Sixth Circuit Court District. The two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct. One (1) judge shall be elected from each subdistrict.
SECTION 61. Section 9-7-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-23. (1) The Seventh Circuit Court District shall be Hinds County.
(2) The Seventh Circuit Court District shall be divided into four (4) subdistricts in Hinds County as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 7-1 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 44, 45, 46, 47, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 92, 93, 96 and 97.
(b) Subdistrict 7-2 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, Brownsville, Cynthia, Pocahontas and Tinnin.
(c) Subdistrict 7-3 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 31, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 86, 89, and Jackson State.
(d) Subdistrict 7-4 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 87, 88, 90, 91, 94, 95, Bolton, Byram 1, Byram 2, Cayuga, Chapel Hill, Clinton 1, Clinton 2, Clinton 3, Clinton 4, Clinton 5, Clinton 6, Dry Grove, Edwards, Learned, Old Byram, Pinehaven, Raymond 1, Raymond 2, Spring Ridge, St. Thomas, Terry, Utica 1 and Utica 2.
SECTION 62. Section 9-7-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-25. (1) There shall be four (4) circuit judges for the Seventh Circuit Court District. One (1) judge shall be elected from each subdistrict.
(2) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the said judges other than as cast upon them by the Constitution and laws of this state, the court in the First Judicial District of Hinds County, in the discretion of the senior circuit judge, may be divided into civil and criminal divisions as a matter of convenience, by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.
SECTION 63. Section 9-7-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-27. (1) The Eighth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Leake County;
(b) Neshoba County;
(c) Newton County; and
(d) Scott County.
(2) There shall be two (2) judges for the Eighth Circuit Court District.
(3) The two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 64. Section 9-7-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-29. (1) The Ninth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Issaquena County;
(b) Sharkey County; and
(c) Warren County.
(2) The Ninth Circuit Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 9-1 shall consist of Issaquena County, Sharkey County and the following precincts in Warren County: 3-61 Store*, American Legion Hall, Auditorium, Brunswick, Cedar Grove*, Kings*, Number 7 Fire Station*, St. Aloysius and Vicksburg Junior High School*.
(b) Subdistrict 9-2 shall consist of the following precincts in Warren County: 3-61 Store*, Beechwood, Bovina, Cedar Grove*, Culkin, Elks Lodge, Goodrum, Jett, Kings*, Moose Lodge, Number 7 Fire Station*, Oak Ridge, Plumbers Hall, Redwood, Tingleville, Vicksburg Junior High School*, YMCA and Yokena.
SECTION 65. Section 9-7-30, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-30. There shall be two (2) judges for the Ninth Circuit Court District. One (1) judge shall be elected from each subdistrict.
SECTION 66. Section 9-7-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-31. The Tenth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Clarke County;
(b) Kemper County;
(c) Lauderdale County; and
(d) Wayne County.
SECTION 67. Section 9-7-32, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-32. (1) There shall be two (2) judges for the Tenth Circuit Court District.
(2) The two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 68. Section 9-7-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-33. (1) The Eleventh Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Bolivar County;
(b) Coahoma County;
(c) Quitman County; and
(d) Tunica County.
(2) The Eleventh Circuit Court District shall be divided into three (3) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 11-1 shall consist of the following precincts from the following counties:
(i) Bolivar County: Benoit, Beulah, Boyle, Choctaw, Cleveland Courthouse, East Central Cleveland*, East Cleveland*, East Rosedale, Gunnison, Longshot, North Cleveland, Northwest Cleveland*, Pace, Scott, Shaw, Skene, South Cleveland*, Stringtown, West Central Cleveland, West Cleveland and West Rosedale; and
(ii) Coahoma County: Bobo, Clarksdale 2-4*, Clarksdale 5-4*, Farrell*, Rena Lara and Sherard*.
(b) Subdistrict 11-2 shall consist of the following precincts from the following counties:
(i) Bolivar County: Cleveland Eastgate, Duncan/Alligator, East Central Cleveland*, East Cleveland*, Merigold, Mound Bayou, Northwest Cleveland*, Renova, Shelby, South Cleveland* and Winstonville;
(ii) Coahoma County: Cagle Crossing, Clarksdale 1-4*, Clarksdale 3-3, Clarksdale 3-4, Clarksdale 4-2, Clarksdale 4-3, Dublin and Roundaway; and
(iii) Quitman County: Belen*, District 3 South*, Lambert, Northwest Marks, Southwest Marks and West Lambert.
(c) Subdistricts 11-3 shall consist of Tunica County and the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Coahoma County: Clarksdale 1-4*, Clarksdale 2-4*, Clarksdale 5-4*, Coahoma, Farrell*, Friar's Point, Jonestown, Lula, Lyon and Sherard*; and
(ii) Quitman County: Belen*, Crenshaw, Crowder, Darling, District 3 North, District 3 South* and Sledge.
SECTION 69. Section 9-7-34, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-34. There shall be three (3) judges for the Eleventh Circuit Court District. One (1) judge shall be elected from each subdistrict.
SECTION 70. Section 9-7-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-35. (1) The Twelfth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Forrest County; and
(b) Perry County.
(2) There shall be two (2) judges for the Twelfth Circuit Court District. The two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 71. Section 9-7-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-37. (1) The Thirteenth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Covington County;
(b) Jasper County;
(c) Simpson County; and
(d) Smith County.
(2) There shall be two (2) judges for the Thirteenth Circuit Court District. The two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 72. Section 9-7-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-39. (1) The Fourteenth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Lincoln County;
(b) Pike County; and
(c) Walthall County.
(2) (a) There shall be two (2) judges for the Fourteenth Circuit Court District.
(b) The two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 73. Section 9-7-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-41. The Fifteenth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Jefferson Davis County;
(b) Lamar County;
(c) Lawrence County;
(d) Marion County; and
(e) Pearl River County.
SECTION 74. Section 9-7-42, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-42. (1) There shall be three (3) judges for the Fifteenth Circuit Court District.
(2) The three (3) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two," and "Place Three." The judge to fill Place One must be a resident of Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Lawrence or Marion County. The judge to fill Place Two may be a resident of any county in the district. The judge to fill Place Three must be a resident of Pearl River County.
SECTION 75. Section 9-7-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-43. The Sixteenth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Clay County;
(b) Lowndes County;
(c) Noxubee County; and
(d) Oktibbeha County.
SECTION 76. Section 9-7-44, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-44. (1) There shall be three (3) judges for the Sixteenth Circuit Court District.
(2) The three (3) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two" and "Place Three." The judge to fill Place One must be a resident of Lowndes County. The judge to fill Place Two must be a resident of Oktibbeha County. The judge to fill Place Three must be a resident of either Clay or Noxubee County. Election of the three (3) offices of judge shall be by election to be held in every county within the Sixteenth Circuit Court District.
SECTION 77. Section 9-7-45, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-45. The Seventeenth Circuit Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 17-1 shall be composed of DeSoto County; and
(b) Subdistrict 17-2 shall be composed of Panola County, Tallahatchie County, Tate County and Yalobusha County.
SECTION 78. Section 9-7-46, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-46. (1) There shall be four (4) circuit judges for the Seventeenth Circuit Court District.
(2) For the purpose of appointment and election, the four (4) judgeships shall be separate and distinct, and one (1) judge shall be elected from Subdistrict 17-1, two (2) judges shall be elected from Subdistrict 17-2, and one (1) judge shall be elected from every county in the district. The two (2) judgeships in Subdistrict 17-2 shall be denominated as "Place One" and "Place Two," the judgeship in Subdistrict 17-1 shall be denominated as "Place Three," and the at-large judgeship shall be denominated as "Place Four."
SECTION 79. Section 9-7-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-47. The Eighteenth Circuit Court District shall be Jones County.
SECTION 80. Section 9-7-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-49. (1) The Nineteenth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) George County;
(b) Greene County; and
(c) Jackson County.
(2) The local contribution required for the maintenance of the Nineteenth Circuit Court District shall not exceed, as to George and Greene Counties, the amount of their present local contribution in their present respective circuit court districts, and any excess shall be paid by Jackson County.
SECTION 81. Section 9-7-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-51. (1) There shall be three (3) judges for the Nineteenth Circuit Court District. The three (3) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two" and "Place Three."
(2) The senior judge of the Nineteenth Circuit Court District may divide the court of any county within the district into civil, criminal and appellate court divisions as a matter of convenience by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.
SECTION 82. Section 9-7-53, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-53. The Twentieth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Madison County; and
(b) Rankin County.
SECTION 83. Section 9-7-54, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-54. (1) There shall be three (3) judges for the Twentieth Circuit Court District.
(2) The three (3) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two" and "Place Three." The judge to fill Place One must reside in Rankin County, the judge to fill Place Two must reside in Madison County, and the judge to fill Place Three may reside in either Madison or Rankin County.
SECTION 84. Section 9-7-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-55. The Twenty-first Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Holmes County;
(b) Humphreys County; and
(c) Yazoo County.
SECTION 85. Section 9-7-57, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
9-7-57. The Twenty-second Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Claiborne County;
(b) Copiah County; and
(c) Jefferson County.
SECTION 86. Section 37-7-208, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
37-7-208. The board of trustees of any consolidated school district may pay from nonminimum program funds the cost and expense of litigation involved by or resulting from the creation of or litigation to create single member school board trustee election districts, and pay from nonminimum program funds the cost or expense to implement any plan, decree or reorganization as approved by the court. Said payments by the board of trustees shall be deemed a "new program" under the provisions of Section 37-57-107, Mississippi Code of 1972, and any additional millage levied for such purpose and the revenue generated therefrom shall be excluded from the tax increase limitation prescribed in Sections 37-57-105 and 37-57-107. The board of supervisors of any county in which there is located such consolidated school district may, in its discretion, contribute out of county general funds to the cost and expense of such litigation and/or the cost of implementing such redistricting plan.
SECTION 87. Section 23-15-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
23-15-39. (1) Applications for registration as electors of this state, which are sworn to and subscribed before the registrar or deputy registrar authorized by law and which are not made by mail, shall be made upon a form established by rule duly adopted by the Secretary of State.
(2) The boards of supervisors shall make proper allowances for office supplies reasonably necessitated by the registration of county electors.
(3) If the applicant indicates on the application that he or she resides within the city limits of a city or town in the county of registration, the county registrar shall process the application for registration or changes to the registration as provided by law.
(4) If the applicant indicates on the application that he or she has previously registered to vote in another county of this state or another state, notice to the voter's previous county of registration in this state shall be provided by the Statewide Elections Management System. If the voter's previous place of registration was in another state, notice shall be provided to the voter's previous state of residence if the Statewide Elections Management System has that capability.
(5) The county registrar shall provide to the person making the application a copy of the application upon which has been written the county voting precinct and municipal voting precinct, if any, in which the person shall vote. Upon entry of the voter registration information into the Statewide Elections Management System, the system shall assign a voter registration number to the person, and the county registrar shall mail the applicant a voter registration card to the mailing address provided on the application.
(6) Any person desiring an application for registration may secure an application from the registrar of the county of which he or she is a resident and may take the application with him or her and secure assistance in completing the application from any person of the applicant's choice. It shall be the duty of all registrars to furnish applications for registration to all persons requesting them, and it shall likewise be the registrar's duty to furnish aid and assistance in the completing of the application when requested by an applicant. The application for registration shall be sworn to and subscribed before the registrar or deputy registrar at the municipal clerk's office, the county registrar's office or any other location where the applicant is allowed to register to vote. The registrar shall not charge a fee or cost to the applicant for accepting the application or administering the oath or for any other duty imposed by law regarding the registration of electors.
(7) If the person making the application is unable to read or write, for reason of disability or otherwise, he or she shall not be required to personally complete the application in writing and execute the oath. In such cases, the registrar or deputy registrar shall read the application and oath to the person and the person's answers thereto shall be recorded by the registrar or the registrar's deputy. The person shall be registered as an elector if he or she otherwise meets the requirements to be registered as an elector. The registrar shall record the responses of the person and the recorded responses shall be retained permanently by the registrar. The county registrar shall enter the voter registration information into the Statewide Elections Management System and designate the entry as an assisted filing.
(8) The receipt of a copy of the application for registration sent pursuant to Section 23-15-35(2) shall be sufficient to allow the applicant to be registered as an elector of this state, if the application is not challenged.
(9) In any case in which the corporate boundaries of a municipality change, whether by annexation or redistricting, the municipal clerk shall, within ten (10) days after approval of the change in corporate boundaries, provide to the county registrar conforming geographic data that is compatible with the Statewide Elections Management System. The data shall be developed by the municipality's use of a standardized format specified by the Statewide Elections Management System. The county registrar, county election commissioner or other county official, who has completed an annual training seminar sponsored by the Secretary of State pertaining to the implementation of new boundary lines in the Statewide Elections Management System and received certification for that training, shall update the municipal boundary information into the Statewide Elections Management System. The Statewide Elections Management System updates the municipal voter registration records and assigns electors to their municipal voting precincts. The county registrar shall forward to the municipal clerk written notification of the additions and changes, and the municipal clerk shall forward to the affected municipal electors written notification of the additions and changes.
SECTION 88. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.