MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Elections
By: Senator(s) Tate, England, Hill
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-973, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT CIRCUIT JUDGES FROM ALLOWING ANY CANDIDATE FOR JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, CIRCUIT JUDGE OR CHANCELLOR TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC DURING COURT TERMS; TO DELETE THE PROHIBITION AGAINST ANY CANDIDATE FOR JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, CIRCUIT JUDGE OR CHANCELLOR ALIGNING HIMSELF OR HERSELF WITH ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATES FOR ANY OTHER OFFICE OR WITH ANY POLITICAL FACTION OR ANY POLITICAL PARTY AT ANY TIME DURING ANY PRIMARY OR GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN; TO DELETE THE PENALTY FOR DOING SO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 23-15-973, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
23-15-973. * * * No judge of any circuit court may provide an
opportunity for any candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge of the
Court of Appeals, circuit judge or chancellor to address the public during
court terms. It shall be unlawful for any candidate for any other office
nominated or to be nominated at any primary election, wherein any candidate for
any of the judicial offices in this section mentioned, is or are to be
nominated, to align himself with any one or more of the candidates for said
offices or to take any part whatever in any nomination for any one or more of
said judicial offices, except to cast his individual vote. * * *
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.