If the Secretary of State refuses to file an initiative petition when submitted to him for filing, the person submitting it for filing, within ten (10) days after his refusal, may apply to the Supreme Court for an order requiring the Secretary of State to bring the petition before the court and for a writ of mandamus to compel him to file it. The application shall be considered an emergency matter of public concern and shall be heard and determined with all convenient speed. If the Supreme Court decides that the petition is legal in form, apparently contains the requisite number of signatures of qualified electors, was filed within the time prescribed in the Constitution and was accompanied with the proper filing fee, it shall issue its mandate directing the Secretary of State to file the petition in his office as of the date of submission.
Structure Mississippi Code
Chapter 17 - Amendments to Constitution by Voter Initiative
§ 23-17-3. Time for filing petition; length of time petition remains valid
§ 23-17-7. Assignment of serial number; designation as "Initiative Measure No. _________ ."
§ 23-17-9. Formulation of ballot title and summary of initiative measure
§ 23-17-11. Notice of ballot title and summary to initiator; publication of title and summary
§ 23-17-13. Procedure for appeal of title and summary
§ 23-17-19. Secretary of State to design petitions; form of petitions
§ 23-17-21. Certification of petition by the circuit clerk; fee for filing petition
§ 23-17-23. Grounds for refusing to file initiative petition
§ 23-17-25. Procedure to compel Secretary of State to file petition
§ 23-17-27. Failure to appeal, or loss of appeal of, Secretary's refusal to file petition
§ 23-17-33. Ballot title and summary for alternative measures
§ 23-17-35. Form of initiative measure as appearing on ballot
§ 23-17-39. Limit of how many initiative proposals may be submitted to voters on single ballot
§ 23-17-41. Effective date of initiative which is approved
§ 23-17-43. Time limit for resubmitting initiative rejected by voters
§ 23-17-47. Definitions applicable to §§ 23-17-47 through 23-17-59
§ 23-17-53. Content of financial reports
§ 23-17-59. Unlawful to interfere with or influence vote of elector
§ 23-17-60. Removal of name from initiative petition due to fraud or coercion
§ 23-17-61. Penalties for violating §§ 23-17-49 through 23-17-59