MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2025 Regular Session

To: Elections

By: Senator(s) England

Senate Bill 2656

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-1031, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MOVE THE FIRST UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY WITHIN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO MARCH OF EACH YEAR IN WHICH CONGRESSMEN ARE ELECTED; TO REPEAL SECTION 23-15-1083, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH COORDINATES UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARIES WITH PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES WHEN BOTH WILL TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE SAME YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 23-15-1031, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     23-15-1031. * * * Except as provided by Section 23‑15‑1081,  The first primary election for Congressmen shall be held on the first Tuesday in * * * June March of the years in which congressmen are elected, and a second primary, if necessary, shall be held four (4) weeks thereafter. * * *  Each year in which a presidential election is held, the congressional primary shall be held as provided in Section 23‑15‑1081.  The election shall be held in all districts of the state on the same day.  Candidates for United States Senator shall be nominated at the congressional primary next preceding the general election at which a senator is to be elected and in the same manner that congressmen are nominated.  The chair and secretary of the state executive committee shall certify the vote for United States Senator to the Secretary of State in the same manner that county executive committees certify the returns of counties in general state and county primary elections.

     SECTION 2.  Section 23-15-1083, Mississippi Code of 1972, which coordinates United States congressional primaries with presidential primaries when both will take place within the same year, is repealed.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.

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