Bill Text: MS SC512 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Constitution; amend to restore suffrage to felons upon discharge by Department of Corrections.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2025-02-04 - Died In Committee [SC512 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2025-SC512-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Constitution; Elections
By: Senator(s) Blount
Senate Concurrent Resolution 512
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTIONS 241 AND 253 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS CONVICTED OF FELONY CHARGES TO VOTE UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR SENTENCE, INCLUDING PROBATION AND PAROLE, AND DISCHARGE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendments to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the state:
Amend Section 241, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:
"Section 241. Every inhabitant of this state, except idiots and insane persons, who is a citizen of the United States of America, eighteen (18) years old and upward, who has been a resident of this state for one (1) year, and for one (1) year in the county in which he or she offers to vote, and for six (6) months in the election precinct or in the incorporated city or town in which he or she offers to vote, and who is duly registered as provided in this article, and who has never been convicted of murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, forgery, embezzlement or bigamy, is declared to be a qualified elector, except that he or she shall be qualified to vote for President and Vice President of the United States if he or she meets the requirements established by Congress therefor and is otherwise a qualified elector. Any disqualification from voting arising from a conviction for murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, forgery, embezzlement or bigamy shall terminate and voting rights be restored upon completion of all terms of sentence, including parole or probation, and discharge by the Department of Corrections."
Amend Section 253, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:
"Section 253. In any case where suffrage is not restored according to Section 241, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, the legislature may, by a two-thirds vote of both houses, of all members elected, restore the right of suffrage to any person disqualified by reason of crime; but the reasons therefor shall be spread upon the journals, and the vote shall be by yeas and nays."
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the amendments in this resolution be submitted by the Secretary of State to the qualified electors at an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2025, as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by general law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of the amendment for the ballot shall read as follows: "The current language of the Mississippi Constitution prohibits all citizens of Mississippi who have been convicted of a felony from voting in local and state elections. By amending the Constitution's language as proposed, individuals convicted of felonies would be permitted to vote upon the completion of their sentence, including probation and parole."
