Return To Mississippi Government State Index
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Carl Zimmerman, Route 5, Box
335B, Pontotoc, MS 38863
SUBJECT MATTER: Constitutional
Convention
BALLOT TITLE: Shall a constitutional
convention convene and the legislative
department of government discontinue
until an altered constitution is approved or
rejected?
BALLOT SUMMARY: This measure would
convene a constitutional convention;
provide for the qualifications and
election of delegates; suspend the legislative
department of state government until an
altered constitution is approved, or rejected
three times; provide $23,640,492.00
from state and local government revenues to pay
for this measure; reinstate the
1991-1992 state budget, appropriations and levies to
operate state government during the
period of legislative suspension; and provide
elections every forty years to consider
a constitutional convention.
ORIGINAL FILING: August 4, 1993
STATUS: Expired.
Initiative Information:
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's Office.
Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of votes cast
for Governor in the last
gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the petition must be certified by
county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Eddie Briggs, P.O. Box 1018,
Jackson, MS 39215
BALLOT TITLE: Shall the size of the
Mississippi Legislature be reduced to a
maximum of thirty senators and sixty
representatives?
BALLOT SUMMARY: Section 254 of the Mississippi
Constitution now provides
that the Mississippi Senate shall
consist of not more than 52 senators and that the
Mississippi House of Representatives
shall consist of not more than 122
representatives. This measure would
amend Section 254 to reduce the maximum size
of the Legislature to not more than 30
senators and 60 representatives.
ORIGINAL FILING: August 17, 1993
STATUS: Expired.
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of votes cast for
Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the petition
must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of
registered Mississippi voters.
For more
information on the initiative process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of
1890, Section 273; and Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Carl Zimmerman, Route 5, Box
335B, Pontotoc, MS 38863
SUBJECT MATTER: Statutory and Local Referendum
BALLOT TITLE: Shall qualified electors
be able to call a referendum to repeal
enactments by the state or political
subdivisions?
BALLOT SUMMARY: This measure would
amend the constitution to allow a
referendum to repeal, in whole or part,
enactments of the state or political subdivisions.
Referendum petitions require signatures
by one percent of the qualified electors at the
last election in the state or affected
political subdivision. The enactment is suspended
pending the referendum at the next
election. Costs for implementing this measure, and
for circulating petitions, estimated to
be $636,900, are also provided for.
ORIGINAL FILING: August 12, 1993
STATUS: Expired.
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the petition must be
certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Mike Crook, P.O. Box 2222, Madison, MS 39130
BALLOT TITLE: Shall public officials be
limited to two successive terms, with
certain judges and congressional
representatives limited to three successive terms?
BALLOT SUMMARY: This measure would
amend the state constitution to limit
appointed and elected state and local officials
and United States Senators to two
successive terms. Circuit, chancery,
county and family court judges and congressional
representatives would be limited to
three successive terms. Service prior to January 1,
1996 would not be counted when
determining the number of successive terms served
by congressional representatives and
United States Senators.
ORIGINAL FILING: March 2, 1994
STATUS: Defeated by voters at November
7, 1995, General Election
(54.3%-45.7%).
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot summary for an
initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
To Mississippi State Index
SPONSOR: W. L. Rayborn, P.O. Box 1018, Jackson,
MS 39215; 601-833-8527
SUBJECT MATTER: Board of Denturity
BALLOT TITLE: Shall persons other than
dentists be licensed by a board of
denturity to fit and make dentures for
the public?
BALLOT SUMMARY: This initiative would:
amend the Constitution to allow
persons other than licensed dentists to
examine patients, and fit, make and sell
dentures directly to the public; create
a board of denturity, consisting of five members
appointed by the governor, which would
regulate the practice of denturity, issue
licenses, determine qualifications of
applicants for licensure and make and enforce
rules; and would mandate a ninety day,
100% money back warranty on dentures
furnished by denturists.
ORIGINAL FILING: March 24, 1995
STATUS: Expired.
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be gathered; with at least
18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Dale Schwindaman, P.O. Box
3439, Jackson, MS 39207; 601-948-0099
BALLOT TITLE: Should a majority vote be required before a
municipality may
annex territory?
BALLOT SUMMARY: This initiative would
amend the Mississippi Constitution to
require a majority vote of residents in a proposed annexation area
before a
municipality could annex. If the
municipal population or size would increase by more
than 5%, a majority vote of the municipality's
voters would also be required. If more
than 70% of the area's land was owned
by non-residents, owners of more than half of
the land parcels would also be required
to consent.
ORIGINAL FILING: April 17, 1995
STATUS: Expired.
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Kirk Fordice, P.O. Box 139,
Jackson, MS 39205; 601-359-3100
BALLOT TITLE: May citizens propose
changes in public schools to local school
boards which, if denied, could be
decided in an election?
BALLOT SUMMARY: This amendment would
create a right to propose changes in
school management policies to local
school boards. A school board could not deny a
proposal for the reason it would: allow
attendance by any student desiring to enroll;
compensate teachers and administrators
based partly on performance; eliminate
regulation; allow hiring of
non-certified teachers; or, alter curriculum. Any proposal
rejected by the board could be
submitted to voters in the same manner as school bond
issues.
ORIGINAL FILING: June 22, 1995
STATUS: Expired.
Initiative
Information
The
official ballot title and ballot summary for an initiative measure are prepared
by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For
more information on the initiative process in Mississippi, consult the
Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Ronnie Combs, 1213 Bienville
Boulevard, Ocean Springs, MS 39564;
601-872-7025
BALLOT TITLE: Shall persons other than
dentists be licensed by a board of
denturity to fit and make dentures for
the public?
BALLOT SUMMARY: This initiative would:
amend the Constitution to allow
persons other than licensed dentists to
examine patients, and fit, make and sell
dentures directly to the public; create
a board of denturity, consisting of five members
appointed by the governor, which would
regulate the practice of denturity, issue
licenses, determine qualifications of
applicants for licensure and make and enforce
rules; and would mandate a ninety day,
100% money back warranty on dentures
furnished by denturists
ORIGINAL FILING: October 4, 1996
STATUS: Expired.
Initiative
Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and Miss. Code
Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Randy Russell, 764 Lakeland
Drive, Suite 308, Jackson, MS 39216;
601-362-5434
SUBJECT MATTER: Term Limits
BALLOT TITLE: Should state legislators
be limited to two (2) consecutive terms in
each legislative body?
BALLOT SUMMARY: This initiative would
amend the Mississippi Constitution to
limit the number of consecutive terms a
person can serve in the state legislature to no
more than two (2) terms in the house
and two (2) terms in the senate after the
adoption of this amendment with terms
being deemed consecutive unless separated by
a full
four (4) year term.
ORIGINAL FILING: April 30, 1997
STATUS: Defeated by voters at November
2, 1999 General Election (54.9%-45.1%).
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional districts. The
number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For
more information on the initiative process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Thomas Slough, P.O. Box 13987,
Jackson, MS 39236-3987;
601-352-7867
BALLOT TITLE: Should the Mississippi
Constitution limit punitive damages awards
to $250,000.00 or five times the
economic damages, whichever is greater?
BALLOT SUMMARY: Passage of this
amendment would: limit the amount of
punitive damages that may be awarded in
a case to the greater of $250,000.00 or five
times the economic damages; require
actual malice, gross negligence or actual fraud
be proven beyond a reasonable doubt;
prohibit punitive damages awards where the
activity or product causing the
economic damages was in compliance with federal or
state regulatory laws; and, establish
certain procedures therefor.
ORIGINAL FILING: April 24, 1998
STATUS: Expired
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of votes cast for Governor in
the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
SPONSOR: Thomas Slough, P.O. Box 13987,
Jackson, MS 39236-3987;
601-352-7867
BALLOT TITLE: Should the Mississippi
Constitution limit and/or eliminate the
penalty for intentionally defrauding or
willfully endangering the people of Mississippi?
BALLOT SUMMARY: Passage of this
amendment would: limit the amount of
punitive damages that may be awarded in
a case to the greater of $250,000.00 or five
times the amount of economic damages;
require actual malice, gross negligence or
actual fraud be proven beyond a
reasonable doubt; prohibit punitive damages where
the activity or product complied with
federal or state regulatory laws; prohibit punitive
damages if they have been awarded
previously for the same conduct or defect.
ORIGINAL FILING: June 12, 1998
STATUS: Expired
Initiative
Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of
the total number of votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the petition
must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of
registered Mississippi voters.
For more information on the
initiative process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of
1890, Section 273; and Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Elizabeth Stoner, Route 3 Box 246,
Eupora, MS 39744; 601-258-4477
BALLOT TITLE: Should the Mississippi
Constitution be amended to prohibit
gambling and gaming, including lotteries?
BALLOT SUMMARY: This amendment would
prohibit gambling and gaming,
including lotteries, within the State
of Mississippi. Charitable bingo and raffles for
nonprofit civic, educational, wildlife
conservation or religious organizations are exempt
from this prohibition. Existing gaming
establishments would have two years from the
effective date of this amendment to cease
activities. This amendment could not be
repealed except after four years from
the date of its enactment, and upon every fourth
year thereafter.
ORIGINAL FILING: June 12, 1998
STATUS: Ruled invalid by Hinds County
Circuit Judge E. J. Russell, July 24, 1998.
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an initiative petition to be
sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Elizabeth Stoner, Route 3 Box 246,
Eupora, MS 39744; 601-258-4477
BALLOT TITLE: Should the Mississippi
Constitution be amended to prohibit
gambling and gaming, including
lotteries?
BALLOT SUMMARY: This amendment would
prohibit gambling and gaming,
including lotteries, within the State
of Mississippi. Charitable bingo and raffles for
nonprofit civic, educational, wildlife
conservation or religious organizations are exempt
from this prohibition. Existing gaming
establishments would have two years from the
effective date of this amendment to
cease activities. The Legislature could not propose
a repeal of the amendment except after
four years from the date of its enactment, and
upon every fourth year thereafter.
ORIGINAL FILING: July 10, 1998
STATUS: Ruled unconstitutional by Hinds
County Circuit Judge James E. Graves, Jr., August 14, 1998
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an initiative petition to
be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and Miss. Code Ann., Sections
23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Thomas Slough, P.O. Box 13987,
Jackson, MS 39236-3987;
601-352-7867
SUBJECT MATTER: Punitive Damages.
BALLOT TITLE: Should the Mississippi
Constitution limit and/or eliminate the
penalty for intentionally defrauding or willfully endangering
the people of Mississippi?
BALLOT SUMMARY: Passage of this
amendment would: Limit the amount of
punitive damages that may be awarded in
a case to the greater of $250,000.00 or five
times the amount of economic damages;
require actual malice, gross negligence or
actual fraud be proven beyond a
reasonable doubt; prohibit punitive damages where
the activity or product complied with
federal or state regulatory laws; prohibit punitive
damages if they have been awarded
previously for the same conduct or defect.
ORIGINAL FILING: July 15, 1998
STATUS: Expired
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered Mississippi
voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Michael D. Retzer, P.O. Box
60, Jackson, MS 39205-0060;
601-948-5191
SUBJECT MATTER: Voter Identification
BALLOT TITLE: Should the Mississippi
Constitution be amended to require a
person to submit identification in
order to vote?
BALLOT SUMMARY: This amendment would:
require voters to submit one of
several forms of valid identification
to election workers in order to prove that the voter
is registered to vote; allow a person
without such identification to sign an affidavit
affirming his identity, such affidavit
to be verified under procedures established by law;
and make it a felony to present false
identification or to falsely sign an affidavit of
identity in order to vote.
ORIGINAL FILING: July 22, 1998
STATUS: Expired
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot summary for an initiative measure
are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an initiative petition to be
sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For
more information on the initiative process in Mississippi, consult the
Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
SPONSOR: John R. McCarty, P.O. Box 13987,
Jackson, MS 39236; 601-352-7867
SUBJECT MATTER: Attorney's fees.
PROPOSED BALLOT TITLE: Should citizens
be prohibited by the Constitution
from agreeing to pay more than a
one-third contingency fee to their attorneys?
PROPOSED BALLOT SUMMARY: This amendment
would prohibit a person
from contracting with his attorney for
a contingency fee of over: 33 1/3 percent of the
first $50,000.00; twenty-five percent
of the next $100,000.00; twenty percent of the
next $350,000.00; and fifteen percent
of any further amounts recovered. Regardless of
any agreement with a client, an attorney would be required to
estimate and keep
records of hours worked on a client's
case. Fee information would have to be
disclosed.
ORIGINAL FILING: November 13, 1998
STATUS: Expired
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be gathered;
with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered Mississippi
voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: John R. McCarty, P.O. Box
13987, Jackson, MS 39236; 601-352-7867
SUBJECT MATTER: Damages in civil
actions.
PROPOSED BALLOT TITLE: Should a
non-prevailing party in any civil action be
required by the Constitution to pay a
prevailing party's attorneys' fees?
PROPOSED BALLOT SUMMARY: This
initiative would amend the Mississippi
Constitution to require a
non-prevailing party in a civil action to pay attorneys' fees to a
prevailing party. A non-prevailing
party could avoid liability for attorneys' fees only if
he offers to allow judgment to be
entered against himself for a specified amount, the
prevailing party then rejects that
offer but does not obtain more than that offer at the
conclusion of the trial.
ORIGINAL FILING: November 16, 1998
STATUS: Expired
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For
more information on the initiative process in Mississippi, consult the
Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: John R. McCarty, P.O. Box 13987,
Jackson, MS 39236; 601-352-7867
SUBJECT MATTER: Damages in civil
actions.
PROPOSED BALLOT TITLE: Should the
Constitution prohibit a person from
seeking full compensation from each
person partially responsible for his damages?
PROPOSED BALLOT SUMMARY: This
initiative would amend the Mississippi
Constitution to abolish joint and
several liability among co-defendants in civil actions;
and, would prohibit a plaintiff from
seeking full compensation from a tortfeasor who
was partially at fault in causing the
plaintiff's injury, death or damages. Damages
would be allocated among joint tortfeasors in
proportion to each tortfeasor's
percentage of fault, as determined by
the trier of fact, in causing the plaintiff's injury,
death or damages.
ORIGINAL FILING: November 18, 1998
STATUS: Expired
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of votes
cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Nick Walters, Post Office Box
2599, Jackson, MS 39207
PROPOSED BALLOT TITLE: Should the
Constitution require: voter identification;
open primaries; state elections be held
in 2006; and, restrictions on mailing absentee
ballots?
PROPOSED BALLOT SUMMARY: Passage of
this initiative would amend the
Mississippi Constitution to require:
open party primary elections; that all voters present
identification in order to vote; a doctor's
affidavit that a voter is unable to come to the
polls before an absentee ballot may be
sent to the voter; and, that elections for state,
district and county offices be held in
November of 2006 and every fourth year
thereafter.
ORIGINAL FILING: December 29, 1998
STATUS: Expired
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative process
in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: Elizabeth Stoner, 2139
Caledonia Steens Road, Caledonia, Mississippi,
39740
SUBJECT MATTER: Gaming/Gambling
PROPOSED BALLOT TITLE: Should the
Mississippi Constitution be amended to
prohibit gambling and gaming, including
lotteries?
PROPOSED BALLOT SUMMARY: This amendment would prohibit gambling
and gaming, including lotteries, within
the State of Mississippi. Charitable bingo and
raffles for nonprofit civic,
educational, wildlife conservation or religious organizations
are exempt from this prohibition.
Existing gaming establishments would have two years
from the effective date of this
amendment to cease activities. The Legislature would
be required to enact laws to enforce
this amendment.
ORIGINAL FILING: March 24, 1999
STATUS: Ruled unconstitutional by Hinds
County Circuit Judge James E. Graves, Jr.,
May 6, 1999
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional districts. The number
of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of
votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
SPONSOR: J. Gregory Stewart, 1401 Main Street, P. O. Box
745, Tunica,
Mississippi, 38676-0745
SUBJECT MATTER: State Flag
PROPOSED BALLOT TITLE: Should the State
Flag adopted in 1894, and used
continuously in this State since then,
be the Official State Flag?
PROPOSED BALLOT SUMMARY: The Mississippi Constitution shall be
amended to state: The State Flag of Mississippi is and shall
be the flag adopted by the
Legislature of 1894 and used
continuously since then. Any proposed
amendment or
proposed changes to the State Flag of
Mississippi shall conform to the provisions of
Section 273 Amendment Process of the
Mississippi Constitution of 1890, as amended,
as proposed by the Legislature or by
initiative of the people.
ORIGINAL FILING: August 24, 2000
STATUS: Inactive.
Initiative Information
The official ballot title and ballot
summary for an initiative measure are prepared by
the Mississippi Attorney General's
Office. Initiative petitions are valid for one year.
According to Mississippi law, for an
initiative petition to be sufficient a minimum of
91,673 certified signatures must be
gathered; with at least 18,355 certified signatures
from each of the five congressional
districts. The number of signatures required
represents 12% of the total number of votes cast for
Governor in the last gubernatorial
general election. All signatures on the
petition must be certified by county Circuit
Clerks as those of registered
Mississippi voters.
For more information on the initiative
process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi
Constitution of 1890, Section 273; and
Miss. Code Ann., Sections 23-17-1 through
23-17-61 (1972).
Return
to Mississippi Initiative Index
Return
To Mississippi State Index