Mississippi_House_of_Representatives

Mississippi House of Representatives

Mississippi House of Representatives

Lower house of the Mississippi Legislature


The Mississippi House of Representatives is the lower house of the Mississippi Legislature, the lawmaking body of the U.S. state of Mississippi. According to the state constitution of 1890, it is to comprise no more than 122 members elected for four-year terms. To qualify as a member of the House candidates must be at least 21 years old, a resident of Mississippi for at least four years, and a resident in the district for at least two years. Elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Quick Facts Type, Term limits ...

Membership, qualifications, and apportionment

Article 4, Section 36 of the Mississippi Constitution specifies that the state legislature must meet for 125 days every four years and 90 days in other years. The Mississippi House of Representatives has the authority to determine rules of its own proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and expel a member with a two-thirds vote of its membership.[1] Bills must undergo three readings in each house, unless two-thirds of the house dispenses with the rules.[1] They cannot be amended to a new purpose.[1] Amendments to bills must be approved by both houses.[1]

The governor has the power to veto legislation, but legislators can override the veto with a two-thirds decision.[1] From 1890 to 2020, State representatives were authorized under the Mississippi Constitution to elect the Governor of Mississippi if no candidate had received 62 of the 122 electoral votes (one per district) and more than 50% of the popular vote. This occurred only once, in 1999, when Ronnie Musgrove had the most votes statewide, but was one electoral vote and 2936 votes (0.38%) shy of a majority: Musgrove was elected on the first ballot.[2]

Salary

State representatives earn $23,500 per year.[3]

Current composition

The following composition reflects the balance of power after the 2023 elections. Republicans secured a majority for the fourth time since 2011, the first year when Republicans won the majority of seats in the State House since 1870.[4][5] The 2023 elections were marked by new leadership, as the past speaker Phillip Gunn retired, allowing his chief lieutenant, then-Speaker Pro Tempore Jason White to become the new speaker.[5] The 2023 elections saw the seating of 25 new members.[5]

State representatives are elected every four years by the qualified electors of the district for which they are running.[6] Candidates are required to be at least 21 years of age and a resident of the state and district for which they are campaigning.[7]

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List of members

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List of speakers

The House has elected a speaker 62 times since 1817:[8][lower-alpha 1]

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Past composition of the House of Representatives

See also

Notes

  1. It is 62 speakers with the most recent election of Jason White.

References

  1. Breen, Dallas (January 6, 2021). "Mississippi Voted Out Its Electoral College-Like Election Process". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  2. "Comparison of state legislative salaries". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  3. Wilkinson, Kaija (November 10, 2011). "GOP takes House; Busby leads Jones as of last count, but margin still very thin". gulflive.com. The Press-Reigster. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  4. Corder, Frank (January 2, 2024). "Mississippi Legislature Gavels in for New Term". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  5. Article 4, Section 34, Mississippi Constitution (accessed May 31, 2013)
  6. Article 4, Section 41 Archived June 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Mississippi Constitution (accessed May 31, 2013)
  7. Watson, Michael (2021). "Historical and Statistical Information" (PDF). 2020-2024 Statistical Register. Mississippi Secretary of State.

32°18′14″N 90°10′55″W


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