Secretary of State clarifies Mississippi elected office vote requirements

Secretary of State clarifies. Secretary of State clarifies Mississippi elected office vote requirements.

Key points

• County offices, namely County Supervisors, Sheriffs, Constables, Chancery and Circuit Clerks, Coroner, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, County Attorney (if elected), Election Commissioners, and School Boards.
• Judicial offices, to include State Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Circuit Court, Chancery Court, Justice Court, and County Court.
• Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner.
• State regional offices, such as Transportation Commissioner, Public Service Commissioner, and District Attorney.
• $23 million in fire rebate funds distributed to Mississippi's 82 counties, 294 municipalities.

Some elected offices in Mississippi require a candidate to receive 50% plus 1 vote to be declared the winner while others require a mere plurality of the vote. See what each office requires.

For context, the office of Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson issued a statement on Thursday seeking to provide clarification regarding the vote requirements applied to determine winners for elected offices throughout the state. Watson's update comes after recent legislative changes.

"Ensuring Mississippi voters and election officials have clear, straightforward information about how our elections are decided is imperative, " remarked Secretary Watson. "The requirements are not the same for every office, so we want to make sure candidates, election officials, and voters have trusted information prior to Election Day."

While other offices are decided by a plurality vote, the Secretary of State remarked Mississippi law requires some offices to be won by a majority vote, meaning a candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes cast. Winning by plurality means the candidate receiving the highest number of votes is elected regardless of whether that candidate receives more than 50%.

Those elected offices that require a candidate to receive a 50% plus 1 vote threshold to be declared the winner are.

All 8 statewide offices, which includes Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner.

Notably, the offices that require a candidate to obtain a mere plurality of the vote are.

Federal offices, including President, U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

State regional offices, such as Transportation Commissioner, Public Service Commissioner, and District Attorney. Legislative offices for state Senate and state House of Representatives. Municipal offices, to include Mayor and City Council / Board of Aldermen. Regarding the Author(s).

Frank Corder is a native of Pascagoula. For almost two decades, he has noted and offered analysis on administration, public policy, business and matters of faith. Frank's interviews, articles, and columns have been shared throughout Mississippi as well as in national publications. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, providing insight and commentary on the inner workings of the Magnolia State. Frank has served his community in both elected and appointed public office, hosted his own local radio and television programs, and managed private businesses all while being an engaged husband and father. Email Frank: [email protected].

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Taken together, the developments around secretary of State clarifies Mississippi elected office vote requirements point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.