Mississippi § 23-17-37 - Voting for initiative when legislative alternative proposed; form of initiative measure and Legislative alternative as appearing on ballot.
Full text of Mississippi Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 23-17-37 — Voting for initiative when legislative alternative proposed; form of initiative measure and Legislative alternative as appearing on ballot., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 23-17-37. Voting for initiative when legislative alternative proposed; form of initiative measure and Legislative alternative as appearing on ballot.
If an initiative measure proposed to the Legislature has been rejected by the Legislature and an alternative measure is passed by the Legislature in lieu thereof, the serial numbers and ballot titles of both such measures shall be printed on the official ballots so that a voter can express separately two (2) preferences: First, by voting for the approval of either measure or against both measures, and, secondly, by voting for one measure or the other measure. If the majority of those voting on the first issue is against both measures, then both measures fail, but in that case the votes on the second issue nevertheless shall be carefully counted and made public. If a majority voting on the first issue is for the approval of either measure, then the measure receiving a majority of the votes on the second issue and also receiving not less than forty percent (40%) of the total votes cast at the election at which the measure was submitted for approval shall be law. Any person who votes against both measures on the first issue may vote but shall not be required to vote for any of the measures on the second issue in order for the ballot to be valid. Substantially the following form shall be a compliance with this section: INITIATED BY PETITION AND ALTERNATIVE BY LEGISLATURE Initiative Measure No. , entitled (here insert the ballot title of the initiative measure). Alternative Measure No. A, entitled (here insert the ballot title of the alternative measure). VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF EITHER, OR AGAINST BOTH: FOR APPROVAL OF EITHER Initiative No. OR Alternative No. A ( ) AGAINST BOTH initiative No. AND Alternative No. A ( ) AND VOTE FOR ONE: FOR Initiative Measure No. ( ) FOR Alternative Measure No. A ( ) Click to view
Source: official Mississippi text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi § 23-17-37
What does Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 23-17-37 cover?
Section 23-17-37 ("Voting for initiative when legislative alternative proposed; form of initiative measure and Legislative alternative as appearing on ballot.") is part of the Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated, the codified statutory law of Mississippi. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Mississippi § 23-17-37?
A common citation format is "Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 23-17-37" (Mississippi). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Mississippi law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Mississippi official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Mississippi attorney.
How does Mississippi § 23-17-37 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Mississippi can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
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