Mississippi House Bill HC16

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Constitution; all elections for statewide office, state district office, member of the Legislature or local office shall be held at the same time as the presidential election.

Impact

The proposed change aims to simplify the electoral calendar, which has been fragmented in the past, leading to voter fatigue and lower participation rates during off-year elections. By consolidating the elections, proponents believe that it will enhance the visibility of state candidates and issues, thereby boosting overall voter turnout. However, the amendment specifically excludes municipal elections, meaning local governance elections will continue to operate independently of this schedule.

Summary

House Concurrent Resolution 16 proposes an amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 that mandates all elections for statewide offices, legislative memberships, and local offices to be held synchronously with the presidential elections, starting in the year 2028. This legislative move aims to standardize the timing of elections, thus providing a cohesive electoral schedule that could potentially increase voter engagement by aligning state and federal elections.

Contention

The bill has sparked discussions regarding its implications for local governance and voter engagement. Critics argue that merging all elections could diminish focus on state and local issues, overshadowed by the prominence of presidential campaigns. Supporters counter that increased turnout during such high-profile elections may benefit state and local candidates. Additionally, the amendment requires legislative action to implement changes concerning term extensions to avoid vacancies, which adds another layer of legislative complexity to the proposed changes.