Mississippi Ballot Initiative Process

SOURCE www.foxnews.com
Mississippi legislators are unlikely to restore a ballot initiative process this year after a Senate chairman killed a proposal. Efforts to revive the initiative process were halted due to significant differences between the House and Senate.

Key Points

  • Mississippi previously had a ballot initiative process for proposing state constitutional amendments
  • Initiative process invalidated by the Mississippi Supreme Court in 2021
  • House and Senate disagreed on details for a new initiative process
  • Efforts to revive the initiative process were halted due to differences
  • Senate chairman did not bring up the bill for further debate

Pros

  • Potential for Mississippi residents to put policy proposals on statewide ballots

Cons

  • Significant differences between the House and Senate
  • Potential for out-of-state interests to influence initiatives
  • Banning initiatives to alter abortion laws