Mississippi

Restoration of ballot initiative process back before Mississippi lawmakers

Published

2 months ago

February 5, 2026

Restoration of ballot initiative process back before Mississippi lawmakers

Sen. Jeremy England, R-Vancleave, presents legislation in the Senate Chamber at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Lawmakers in both chambers are considering bills that survived their committee deadline. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi has been without a ballot initiative process since the 2021 state Supreme Court decision on Medical Marijuana Initiative 65 invalidated the process outlined in the state constitution.

A measure to restore Mississippi’s ballot initiative process was moved out of the Senate Elections Committee this week to restart the negotiation process between the two chambers.

Mississippi has been without a ballot initiative process since the 2021 state Supreme Court decision on Medical Marijuana Initiative 65 invalidated the process on the basis that the signature threshold in the state constitution could not be met. The former initiative process required signatures to come from five congressional districts when Mississippi now only has four districts.

Negotiations between the House and Senate have stalled in previous sessions. Concerns from members have ranged from the number of signatures required for an initiative to be put before voters to what topics should or should not be allowed on an initiative. There has also been concern expressed over out-of-state monies flowing into the state to push initiatives sponsored by special interest groups.

Senate Elections Chairman State Senator Jeremy England (R) believes now is the time to bring the issue back before lawmakers.

“I’ve heard from both sides on this issue, and I think I agree, somewhat, with both sides on this issue about we’re a constitutional republic, we are elected here to come represent the will of the people,” England said. “I also understand the other side that this is something the people have had and as we know, Mississippians when have something and get it taken away from us, we want it back. This is an effort to help that along.”

Under England’s proposed measure, SCR 518, those seeking to place a ballot initiative before Mississippi voters would be required to gather signatures from 10% of registered voters in the state, meaning upwards of 170,000 signatures.

“This is, of course, an increase from the previous ballot measure that was stricken by the Supreme Court which was around 107,000 the last time it happened but it was based on elections and election results from the previous gubernatorial election,” England said. “This ties directly to active registered voters.”

No more than one-third of signatures would be allowed to come from one congressional district.

“It’s not really a pro-rata system, but if we ever do drop down to three [congressional districts]… this will still be a system that will work,” the Coast senator said.

Senate Elections Committee, February 3, 2026

Should a ballot initiative be proposed that would “cause a substantial cost to the state or require the substantial expenditure of state funds,” a 60% vote of approval from the public would be required to pass. Otherwise, an initiative would need to receive a majority of the votes cast and not less than 40% of the total votes to be approved.

The Legislature would also maintain the right to propose an alternative initiative on the same ballot. If conflicting initiatives or legislative alternatives are approved at the same election, the initiative or legislative alternative receiving the highest number of affirmative votes would prevail.

England proposes that ballot initiatives could not be used to deprive any human being of the right to life, meaning initiatives could not seek to reverse the state’s position against abortion. Initiatives would also not be allowed that change or amend the state constitution, local laws, or the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).

As written, the Legislature would be limited from making changes to enacted ballot initiative statutes for two years once voters approve the measure.

Voters would be asked to adopt the new ballot initiative process if the bill makes its way through the Capitol, as it would amend the state constitution and reinstate the process as outlined therein.

The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Should it pass, the measure’s fate is uncertain in the House.

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Mississippi

D1Baseball rankings: Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss surge after big weekends – SuperTalk Mississippi

Published

2 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

D1Baseball rankings: Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss surge after big weekends – SuperTalk Mississippi

Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss have surged in the rankings after a big weekend on the diamond.

The Bulldogs (30-10, 10-8 SEC) jumped two spots to No. 15 in the latest poll from D1Baseball following a strong bounce back. Brian O’ Connor’s club, after having been on the wrong side of SEC sweeps in back-to-back series, earned a 10-rule win over Samford on Tuesday, then took care of business with a sweep at South Carolina.

Next up for Mississippi State is a midweek home matchup versus Memphis on Tuesday before LSU heads to Dudy Noble Field for Super Bulldog Weekend.

The Rebels (29-12, 10-8 SEC) took the biggest leap in the rankings, making an eight-spot jump to No. 17 despite not budging in the top 25 a week ago after sweeping LSU. Once Mike Bianco’s club took the first two games at Tennessee in the most recent series, D1Baseball co-owner Kendall Rogers made note that Ole Miss fans could expect to see their team catapult in his outlet’s poll. Come Monday, though the red and blue lost the series finale, D1Baseball stuck to its word.

“What a weekend so far for [Ole Miss baseball]. Cade Townsend carried a no hitter into the sixth in an 8-1 win over Tennessee to take the series,” Rogers wrote on X. “Rebs are on a heater. Safe to say they’ll be much higher than 25 on Monday.”

Next up for the red-hot Rebels is a home midweek outing versus Murray State, the team that knocked the Rebels out of the postseason last year, before No. 5 Georgia travels to Swayze Field for Double Decker weekend.

The Golden Eagles (28-12, 11-7 Sun Belt) made a four-spot jump to No. 18 after securing a much needed conference sweep to keep hopes of hosting an NCAA Tournament regional alive. Christian Ostrander’s club defended home turf over the weekend, taking all three games from a solid Texas State club.

Next up for the black and gold is a Tuesday midweek battle versus former conference foe Tulane, before making an hour and a half drive to South Alabama for the weekend.

The full top 25 can be found below:

UCLA
North Carolina
Georgia Tech
Texas
Georgia
Oregon State
Texas A&M
Florida State
Coastal Carolina
Virginia
Auburn
West Virginia
Alabama
Oklahoma
Mississippi State
Kansas
Ole Miss
Southern Miss
Oregon
Nebraska
Florida
Boston College
USC
Arkansas
Arizona State

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for April 19, 2026

Published

14 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for April 19, 2026

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 19, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from April 19 drawing

01-07-11-30-34

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 7-4-6, FB: 5

Evening: 3-3-0, FB: 8

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 3-4-8-9, FB: 5

Evening: 6-2-0-4, FB: 8

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 10

Evening: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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