MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Elections

By: Senator(s) Blackwell

Senate Bill 2916

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-977, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MOVE THE QUALIFYING DEADLINE FOR JUDICIAL OFFICES FROM MAY TO MARCH; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 23-15-977, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     23-15-977.  (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, all candidates for judicial office as defined in Section 23-15-975 of this subarticle shall file their intent to be a candidate with the proper officials and pay the proper assessment by not later than 5:00 p.m. on * * *the first Friday after the first Monday in May before March 1 of the year in which the general election for the judicial office * * *and shall pay to the proper officials the following amounts: is heldIf March 1 occurs on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, candidates shall file their intent to be a candidate and pay the proper assessment by 5:00 p.m. on the business day immediately following the Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.  Candidates shall pay to the proper officials the following amounts:

          (a)  Candidates for Supreme Court judge and Court of Appeals, the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00).

          (b)  Candidates for circuit judge and chancellor, the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).

          (c)  Candidates for county judge and family court judge, the sum of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00).

     Candidates for judicial office may not file their intent to be a candidate and pay the proper assessment before January 1 of the year in which the election for the judicial office is held.

     (2)  Candidates for judicial offices listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) of this section shall file their intent to be a candidate with, and pay the proper assessment made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section to, the State Board of Election Commissioners.

     (3)  Candidates for judicial offices listed in paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section shall file their intent to be a candidate with, and pay the proper assessment made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section to, the circuit clerk of the proper county.  The circuit clerk shall notify the county election commissioners of all persons who have filed their intent to be a candidate with, and paid the proper assessment to, such clerk.  The notification shall occur within two (2) business days and shall contain all necessary information.

     (4)  If only one (1) person files his or her intent to be a candidate for a judicial office and that person later dies, resigns or is otherwise disqualified from holding the judicial office after the deadline provided for in subsection (1) of this section but more than seventy (70) days before the date of the general election, the Governor, upon notification of the death, resignation or disqualification of the person, shall issue a proclamation authorizing candidates to file their intent to be a candidate for that judicial office for a period of not less than seven (7) nor more than ten (10) days from the date of the proclamation.

     (5)  If only one (1) person qualifies as a candidate for a judicial office and that person later dies, resigns or is otherwise disqualified from holding the judicial office within seventy (70) days before the date of the general election, the judicial office shall be considered vacant for the new term and the vacancy shall be filled as provided in by law.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.