Mississippi State Legislature

General information
Type: |  State legislature
Term limits: |  None
Session start: |  January 7, 2025
Website: |  Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President: |  Delbert Hosemann (R)
House Speaker: | Jason White (Mississippi) (R)
Structure
Members: | 52 (Senate), 122 (House)
Length of term: |  4 years (Senate), 4 years (House)
Authority: |  Art V, Mississippi Constitution
Salary: |  $23,500/year + per diem
Elections
Last election: | November 7, 2023
Next election: | November 2, 2027
Redistricting: | Mississippi Legislature has control

## Contents

* 1 Senate
* 2 House of Representatives
* 3 Elections
* 3.1 2027
* 3.2 2023
* 3.3 2019
* 3.4 2015
* 3.5 2011
* 4 Sessions
* 4.1 2025
* 4.2 2024
* 4.3 2023
* 4.4 2022
* 4.5 2021
* 4.6 2020
* 4.6.1 Effect of coronavirus pandemic
* 4.7 2019
* 4.8 2018
* 4.9 2017
* 4.10 2016
* 4.11 2015
* 4.11.1 Major issues in 2015
* 4.12 2014
* 4.12.1 Major issues in 2014
* 4.13 2013
* 4.13.1 Major issues in 2013
* 4.14 2012
* 4.15 2011
* 4.16 2010
* 4.17 Role in state budget
* 5 Redistricting
* 5.1 2020
* 5.2 2010
* 6 Legislators
* 6.1 Salaries
* 6.2 Swearing in dates
* 7 District maps
* 7.1 State Senate
* 7.2 State House
* 8 Veto overrides
* 9 History
* 9.1 Partisan balance 1992-2013
* 9.1.1 SQLI and partisanship
* 10 Joint legislative committees
* 11 Constitutional amendments
* 11.1 Initiative
* 11.2 Legislature
* 12 See also
* 13 External links
* 14 Footnotes

The Mississippi State Legislature is the state legislature of the state of Mississippi. The bicameral legislature is composed of the lower Mississippi House of Representatives, with 122 members, and the upper Mississippi State Senate, with 52 members. Both Representatives and Senators serve four-year terms without term limits.

The Legislature convenes at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Mississippi.

The rights, responsibilities, privileges and expectations of the state legislature are defined in Article 4 of the Mississippi Constitution.

Mississippi has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also: Mississippi House of Representatives, Mississippi State Senate, Mississippi Governor

## Senate[edit]

The Mississippi Senate is the upper house of the Mississippi Legislature. The Senate is composed of 52 Senators representing an equal amount of constituent districts.

As of the 2020 Census, Mississippi state senators represented an average of 56,998 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 57,274 residents.

Senators serve four-year terms with no term limits.

Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal U.S. Senate, the Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.

According to the current Mississippi Constitution, the Senate is to be composed of no more than 52 members elected for four-year terms. Elections to the Senate are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during the state general elections.[1]

Party  | As of September 2025

|

| Democratic Party | 14
| Republican Party | 36
| Other  | 0
| Vacancies  | 2
Total |  52

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the Mississippi State Senate in 2011. In 2023, they won a 36-16 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Mississippi Senate following every general election from 1991 to 2023. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Mississippi State Senate election results: 1991-2023

Party  | 91  | 95  | 99  | 03  | 07[2] | 11  | 15  | 19  | 23

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Democrats | 39 | 34 | 34 | 27 | 28 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 16
Republicans | 13 | 18 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 31 | 32 | 36 | 36
Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0

## House of Representatives[edit]

The House of Representatives is the lower house of the Mississippi State Legislature. According to the state constitution of 1890, this body is to have no more than 122 members elected for four-year terms (Section 34). To qualify as a member of the house candidates must (a) be at least 21 years old, (b) have been a resident of Mississippi for at least four years, and (c) have resided in the district in which he/she is running for at least two years (Sections 41, 44 and 45). Current state law provides for the maximum number of members. Elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.[3]

As of the 2020 Census, Mississippi state representatives represented an average of 24,294 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 24,412 residents.

The Constitution also specifies that the legislature shall meet for 125 days every four years and 90 days in all other years (Section 36 of Article 4).[4]

Party  | As of September 2025

|

| Democratic Party | 39
| Republican Party | 79
| Independent  | 3
| Vacancies  | 1
Total |  122

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the Mississippi House of Representatives in 2011. In 2023, they won a 79-41-2 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Mississippi House following every general election from 1991 to 2019. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Mississippi House of Representatives election results: 1991-2023

Party  | 91  | 95  | 99  | 03  | 07  | 11  | 15  | 19  | 23

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Democrats | 93 | 86 | 86 | 75 | 75 | 58 | 49 | 46 | 41
Republicans | 27 | 33 | 33 | 47 | 47 | 64 | 73 | 75 | 79
Other | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2

## Elections[edit]

### 2027[edit]

See also: Mississippi State Senate elections, 2027 and Mississippi House of Representatives elections, 2027

Elections for the Mississippi State Senate will take place in 2027. The general election is on November 2, 2027.

Elections for the Mississippi House of Representatives will take place in 2027. The general election is on November 2, 2027.

### 2023[edit]

See also: Mississippi State Senate elections, 2023 and Mississippi House of Representatives elections, 2023

Elections for the Mississippi State Senate took place in 2023. The general election was on November 7, 2023. A primary was August 8, 2023, and a primary runoff was August 29, 2023. The filing deadline was February 1, 2023.

Elections for the Mississippi House of Representatives took place in 2023. The general election was on November 7, 2023. A primary was August 8, 2023, and a primary runoff was August 29, 2023. The filing deadline was February 1, 2023.

### 2019[edit]

See also: Mississippi State Senate elections, 2019 and Mississippi House of Representatives elections, 2019

Elections for the Mississippi State Senate took place in 2019. The primary was on August 6, 2019, the primary runoff was on August 27, and the general election was on November 5. The filing deadline for candidates was March 1, 2019.

Elections for the Mississippi House of Representatives took place in 2019. The primary was on August 6, 2019, the primary runoff was on August 27, and the general election was on November 5. The filing deadline for candidates was March 1, 2019.

### 2015[edit]

See also: Mississippi State Senate elections, 2015 and Mississippi House of Representatives elections, 2015

Elections for the Mississippi State Senate took place in 2015. A primary election was held on August 4, 2015, and the general election was held on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 27, 2015.[5]

Elections for the Mississippi House of Representatives took place in 2015. A primary election was held on August 4, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 27, 2015.[6]

### 2011[edit]

See also: Mississippi State Senate elections, 2011 and Mississippi House of Representatives elections, 2011

Elections for the office of Mississippi State Senate took place in 2011. The primary election was held on August 2, 2011, and the general election was held on November 2, 2011. Candidates wishing to run for the Mississippi State Senate were required to file their nominating signatures or candidate filing fees by June 1, 2011.

Elections for the office of Mississippi House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 2, 2011, and a general election on November 8, 2011. Candidates wishing to run for the Mississippi House of Representatives were required to file their nominating signatures or candidate filing fees by June 1, 2011.

## Sessions[edit]

Article IV of the Mississippi Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to meet. Section 36 of Article IV states that the legislature is to convene in regular session on the Tuesday following the first Monday in January of each year. Section 36 limits the length of regular sessions to ninety calendar days, except for once every four years when the regular session can last up to one hundred twenty-five calendar days. Longer regular sessions have taken place in 2008, 2012, and 2016.

Section 36 also allows the Legislature to extend its sessions for thirty days by a two-thirds vote of both legislative houses. There is no limit on the number of times a session can be extended in this way. In 2010, the Legislature extended its session once, moving the date of adjournment from April 3rd to May 3rd.

Article V of the Mississippi Constitution gives the Governor of Mississippi the power to call the Legislature into extraordinary session. Section 121 of Article V enumerates this power.[7]

### 2025[edit]

See also: 2025 Mississippi legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 7, 2025, and adjourn on April 3, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

### 2024[edit]

See also: 2024 Mississippi legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 2, 2024, and adjourn on May 4, 2024.

### 2023[edit]

See also: 2023 Mississippi legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2023, and adjourn on April 1, 2023.

### 2022[edit]

See also: 2022 Mississippi legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions

In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2022, and adjourn on April 5, 2022.

### 2021[edit]

See also: 2021 Mississippi legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions

In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2021, and adjourn on April 1, 2021.

### 2020[edit]

See also: 2020 Mississippi legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions

In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 7, 2020, and adjourn on October 10, 2020.

#### Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit]

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.

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Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Mississippi State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 18, 2020. The suspension was originally set to expire April 1, 2020. It was subsequently extended to May 18, 2020, but the legislature reconvened earlier, on May 7, 2020.[8][9][10][11]

### 2019[edit]

See also: 2019 Mississippi legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions

In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through March 29, 2019.

### 2018[edit]

See also: 2018 Mississippi legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions

In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2018, through March 28, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.

### 2017[edit]

See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions

In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2017, through March 29, 2017. The legislature will begin a special session on June 5.

### 2016[edit]

See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions

In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 5 through April 21.

A one-day legislative special session on February 4, 2016, called by Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant (R) resulted in the largest economic development announcement in a single day in the state’s history, according to the governor. Legislators approved millions in state aid for a shipyard project and for a tire plant projected to be the largest such facility in North America. Lawmakers estimated that a total of 3,500 jobs could be created by the package of loans, tax breaks, and other incentives.[12]

### 2015[edit]

See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions

In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 6 through April 2.

#### Major issues in 2015[edit]

Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included education funding, tax relief, and contract reform.[13]

### 2014[edit]

See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions

In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 7 through April 2.[14]

#### Major issues in 2014[edit]

Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included Common Core, Medicaid expansion, teachers' pay, and prison sentences.[15][16]

### 2013[edit]

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to April 7.[17]

#### Major issues in 2013[edit]

Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included creating a budget, charter schools, and Medicaid expansion.[18]

### 2012[edit]

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 3 through May 3.[19]

### 2011[edit]

In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 4 through April 7.[20]

### 2010[edit]

In 2010, the legislature was originally scheduled to be  in session from January 5th to April 3rd. However, the session was extended to May 3rd. Additionally, a special session was held from April 22nd to April 23rd.[21]

### Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Mississippi state budget and finances
Mississippi on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

* * *

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[22]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in June of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor in August.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature by November 15. This deadline is extended to January 31 for a newly elected governor.
4. The legislature typically adopts a budget in March or April. The fiscal year begins July 1.

Mississippi is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[22][23]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[22]

## Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Mississippi

In Mississippi, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. Congressional district lines are approved as regular legislation and are thus subject to veto by the governor. State legislative district boundaries are approved as a joint resolution; as such, they are not subject to gubernatorial veto.[24]

If the legislature cannot approve a state legislative redistricting plan, a five-member commission must draw the lines. This commission comprises the chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, the attorney general, the secretary of state, and the majority leaders of the Mississippi State Senate and the Mississippi House of Representatives.[24]

The Mississippi Constitution requires that state legislative district boundaries be contiguous. State statutes further require that state legislative districts "be compact and cross political boundaries as little as possible."[24]

### 2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Mississippi after the 2020 census

On July 3, 2025, the state filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of part of a May 7, 2025, federal three-judge panel decision that led to redrawn districts and special elections. The state said the appeal would not affect the special elections.[25]

A legal challenge to the state legislative maps had resulted in a three-judge panel ordering the state to add two new majority-Black Senate districts and one new majority-Black House district by the end of the 2025 legislative session.[26] The legislature approved the new maps on March 5, 2025.[27] On April 15, 2025, a three-judge panel ordered the legislature to redraw the Senate district in DeSoto County and gave the State Board of Election Commissioners seven days to submit a new map.[28] The panel approved revised maps from the Mississippi Election Commission on May 7, 2025, and special elections in the affected districts were scheduled for November 4, 2025.[29]

Mississippi enacted new state legislative district boundaries on March 31, 2022, when both legislative chambers approved district maps for the other chamber.[30] Legislative redistricting in Mississippi is done via a joint resolution and did not require Gov. Tate Reeves' (R) approval.[30] Emily Wagster Pettus of the Associated Press wrote that "Republican legislative leaders said the redistricting plans are likely to maintain their party's majority in each chamber."[31] Pettus also wrote that "Senate President Pro Tempore Dean Kirby of Pearl said the Senate redistricting plan keeps the same number of Republican-leaning and Democratic-leaning districts as now."[31]

Redistricting of the state Senate was approved by the Senate on March 29, 2022, by a vote of 45-7, with 31 Republicans and 14 Democrats in favor and five Republicans and two Democrats voting against.[32] The state House approved the Senate's district boundaries on March 31, 2022, by a vote of 68-49. Sixty-two Republicans, three Democrats, and three independents voted in favor and 35 Democrats and 14 Republicans voted against.[33]

New district boundaries for the Mississippi House of Representatives were approved by the House on March 29, 2022, by an 81-38 vote. Seventy-three Republicans, five Democrats, and three independents voted to enact the new map and 36 Democrats and two Republicans voted against it.[34] The Mississippi Senate approved the House map—41 to 8—on March 31, 2022, with 34 Republicans and seven Democrats voting in favor and all eight votes against by Democrats.[35]

### 2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Mississippi after the 2010 census

Mississippi received its local census data on February 3, 2011. The state's population grew 4.3 percent, with several of its cities (Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi) losing as much as 13 percent. Most of the state's population loss was in the north-central region and along the western edge.

Republicans controlled the Legislature and governorship at the time of redistricting. Because Mississippi holds legislative elections in odd-numbered years, the legislature was given a tight deadline -- June 1, 2011 -- for redistricting in time for the 2011 elections while allowing 60 days of review by the Department of Justice, as required at the time by the Voting Rights Act. The deadline passed without a plan, meaning any new maps would not take effect until 2015. Elections were held with the previous maps, and the House passed a new map in April 2012, with the Senate following in May.[36] The House plan included five two-incumbent races.

## Legislators[edit]

### Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[37]

Salary| Per diem
$23,500/year| For senators: $166/day. For representatives: $157/day.

### Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Mississippi legislators assume office the first day of the regular session of the year following election. The constitution requires the legislature to convene yearly on the Tuesday after the first Monday in January.[38]

## District maps[edit]

### State Senate[edit]

### State House[edit]

## Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Mississippi are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 82 of the 122 members in the Mississippi House of Representatives and 35 of the 52 members in the Mississippi State Senate. Mississippi is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Vetoes can be overridden when the next regular session convenes.[39][40]

Authority: Article IV, Section 72 of the Mississippi Constitution.

"Every Bill which shall pass both Houses shall be presented to the Governor of the state. If he approve, he shall sign it; but if he does not approve, he shall return it, with his objections, to the House in which it originated, which shall enter the objections at large upon its Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two-thirds (2/3) of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other House, by which, likewise, it shall be reconsidered; and if approved by two-thirds (2/3) of that House, it shall become a law; but in all such cases the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively."

## History[edit]

### Partisan balance 1992-2013[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States and Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States, Mississippi

Partisan breakdown of the Mississippi legislature from 1992-2013

Mississippi State Senate: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Mississippi State Senate for 18 years while Republicans were the majority for four years. The Mississippi State Senate is 1 of 16 state senates that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. The final three years of the study showed a shift in the Mississippi Senate to the Republican Party with the last two years being Republican trifectas.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Mississippi House of Representatives: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Mississippi House of Representatives for the first 20 years while the Republicans were the majority for the last two years. The Mississippi State House of Representatives is one of 18 state Houses that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. The final three years of the study depicted a shift not only in the Mississippi House but in the entire state government to the Republican Party with the last two years being Republican trifectas.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Mississippi, the Mississippi State Senate and the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

#### SQLI and partisanship[edit]

To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Mississippi state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Mississippi has consistently ranked in the bottom-2 of the SQLI ranking regardless of a trifecta or a divided government. The state has been ranked in the last place for fifteen separate years and ranked 49th six separate years. Mississippi had two trifectas, both Democratic and Republican, between 2000 and 2004 and in 2012, respectively.

* SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 49.75
* SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 50
* SQLI average with divided government: 49.69

Chart displaying the partisanship of Mississippi government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

## Joint legislative committees[edit]

See also: Public policy in Mississippi

* Compilation, Revision and Publication Committee, Mississippi State Legislature
* Enrolled Bills Committee, Mississippi State Legislature
* Investigate State Offices Committee, Mississippi State Legislature
* Legislative Budget Committee, Mississippi State Legislature
* Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review Committee, Mississippi State Legislature
* State Library Committee, Mississippi State Legislature

## Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Mississippi Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article XV of the Mississippi Constitution and Laws governing the initiative process in Mississippi

Note on Mississippi:

Mississippi has an initiated constitutional amendment process, including a signature distribution requirement based on five congressional districts. However, the requirements cannot be met, according to the Mississippi Supreme Court, because the state has four congressional districts following reapportionment in 2001. As a result, the process remains part of the state constitution but cannot be carried out in practice.[41]

Mississippi Constitution

Preamble
Articles
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15

The Mississippi Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a citizen-initiated process and a legislative process. Mississippi requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

#### Initiative[edit]

See also: Initiated constitutional amendment

An indirect initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. There are two states – Massachusetts and Mississippi – that allow citizens to initiate indirect constitutional amendments.

While a direct initiated constitutional amendment is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiated constitutional amendment is first presented to the state legislature, which has various options depending on the state.

In Mississippi, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to at least 12% of the total number of votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial general election immediately preceding the signature deadline—not necessarily the gubernatorial election immediately preceding the targeted election date. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Beginning with the day the sponsor receives the ballot title and summary, proponents have one year to circulate petitions and receive certification from the county circuit clerks. Signatures must be submitted to the secretary of state at least 90 days prior to the beginning of the regular session—which begins in the first week of January.

Once it is determined that proponents of a measure have collected enough signatures, the measure is filed with the Mississippi State Legislature on the first day of the legislative session. The legislature must act on the measure within four months of that date. The legislature may choose to adopt the measure by a majority vote in each house. Whether the legislature adopts or rejects the measure, the proposed amendment proceeds to the ballot. The legislature may also choose to approve an amended alternate version of the measure. In this case, both measures appear on the ballot together.

An initiative must receive a majority of the total votes cast for that particular initiative and must also receive more than 40% of the total votes cast in that election.

Note on Mississippi:

Mississippi has an initiated constitutional amendment process, including a signature distribution requirement based on five congressional districts. However, the requirements cannot be met, according to the Mississippi Supreme Court, because the state has four congressional districts following reapportionment in 2001. As a result, the process remains part of the state constitution but cannot be carried out in practice.[42]

#### Legislature[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the Mississippi State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 77 votes in the Mississippi House of Representatives and 35 votes in the Mississippi State Senate, assuming no vacancies. The absolute number of those voting in favor must be equal to at least a majority of the members elected to each house. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

## See also[edit]

Elections | Mississippi State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics

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|
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* Mississippi elections, 2023
* Mississippi elections, 2019
* Mississippi state legislative special elections, 2017
* Mississippi elections, 2015

* Mississippi State Senate
* Mississippi House of Representatives
* Governor of Mississippi
* Mississippi Supreme Court

* State legislative elections: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018

* State government trifectas
* State government triplexes
* State executives
* State courts
* Ballot measures
* The State Legislative Decade

## External links[edit]

* Mississippi Legislature

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "Mississippi Constitution," accessed February 16, 2021
2. ↑ Republicans gained a majority in 2007 when two Democratic state senators switched their party affiliation. Democrats regained the majority as a result of the 2007 elections.
3. ↑ Mississippi Constitution, "Article 4, Section 36," accessed February 16, 2021
4. ↑ Mississippi Constitution, "Article 4, Section 36," accessed February 16, 2021
5. ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Elections Calendar," accessed December 2, 2014
6. ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Elections Calendar," accessed December 2, 2014
7. ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "Mississippi Constitution," accessed February 16, 2021
8. ↑ Clarion Ledger, "Mississippi lawmakers to halt legislative session over coronavirus," March 17, 2020
9. ↑ Clarion Ledger, "Mississippi Legislature will not come back April 1, as coronavirus spreads," March 26, 2020
10. ↑ Clarion Ledger, "Amid coronavirus pandemic, Mississippi Legislature will reconvene on May 18," April 27, 2020
11. ↑ WLOX, "Mississippi Legislature to reconvene Thursday," May 5, 2020
12. ↑ The Associated Press, "Mississippi lawmakers pass aid for tire plant, shipyard," accessed February 16, 2021
13. ↑ Mississippi Watchdog, "Plenty of issues for Mississippi Legislature to tackle in 2015," January 2, 2015
14. ↑ StateScape, "Session Schedules," accessed July 29, 2014
15. ↑ WDAM, "Mississippi legislature begins 2014 session," January 7, 2014
16. ↑ GulfLive.com, "13 things to watch in the 2014 Mississippi Legislature," January 3, 2014
17. ↑ StateScape, "Session Schedules," accessed February 16, 2021
18. ↑ Gulf Live, "AP analysis: 2013 Mississippi Legislative session mixes substance, silliness," April 6, 2013
19. ↑ StateScape, "Session Schedules," accessed February 16, 2021 (Archived)
20. ↑ Mississippi State Legislature, "2011 Daily Action Reports," accessed February 16, 2021
21. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 Legislative Session Calendar," accessed February 16, 2021 (Archived)
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
23. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 All About Redistricting, "Mississippi," accessed May 4, 2015
25. ↑ Magnolia Tribune, "Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court coming to address “very narrow, legal issue” in court-ordered legislative redistricting," July 3, 2025
26. ↑ Associated Press, "Mississippi can wait to reset legislative districts that dilute Black voting strength, judges say," July 18, 2024
27. ↑ Associated Press, "New Mississippi legislative maps head to court for approval despite DeSoto lawmakers’ objections," March 6, 2025
28. ↑ DeSoto Times-Tribune, "Judges order new redistricting map for DeSoto," April 16, 2025
29. ↑ Mississippi Today, "Federal court approves Mississippi legislative redistricting. Special elections will proceed," May 9, 2025
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Jackson Free Press, "Mississippi House and Senate OK Each Other's Redistricting," April 1, 2022
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Jackson Free Press, "Mississippi House, Senate Pass Separate Redistricting Plans," March 30, 2022
32. ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 202-History of Actions, 03/29 (S) Adopted," accessed April 7, 2022
33. ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 202-History of Actions, 03/31 (H) Adopted," accessed April 7, 2022
34. ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 1-History of Actions, 03/29 (H) Adopted As Amended," accessed April 7, 2022
35. ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 1-History of Actions, 03/31 (S) Adopted," accessed April 7, 2022
36. ↑ The Associated Press, "Mississippi House adopts Senate redistricting plan," May 3, 2012
37. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
38. ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "Mississippi Constitution Article 4, Section 36," accessed February 2, 2023
39. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "The Veto Process," accessed June 22, 2017
40. ↑ Mississippi First, "Governor Bryant Vetoes SB 2161," April 24, 2015
41. ↑ Mississippi Supreme Court, "In Re Initiative Measure No. 65: Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler V Michael Watson, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State for the State of Mississippi," May 14, 2021
42. ↑ Mississippi Supreme Court, "In Re Initiative Measure No. 65: Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler V Michael Watson, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State for the State of Mississippi," May 14, 2021

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