Although he remains busy with the general election, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann expressed concerns during a visit to Pike County on Tuesday that voters do not have all the facts regarding competing constitutional amendments regarding school funding.
As Secretary of State, Hosemann is tasked with overseeing elections.
He also has his own campaign to run. The Republican is seeking a third term in office. He will face Democrat Charles Graham and independent Randy Walker in the general election.
But the main focus of his message Tuesday concerned voter confusion over Initiative 42 and an alternative measure, Initiative 42-A.
“We’re down here for a couple of reasons. The primaries are over and now we are moving on to the general election, getting ready,” he said during a stop at the Pike County Courthouse, where he met with several area officials. “There are a number of good candidates on the ballot, but we would really like to discuss the education amendment.”
Mississippi voters will have the opportunity to vote for or against Initiative 42 and 42-A, during the Nov. 3 general election.
Initiative 42 is a citizen-backed measure that would require the Legislature to fully fund public schools based on an existing funding formula whose guidelines have only been met twice.
Initiative 42-A, backed by Republican legislators, proposes requiring lawmakers to fund schools but removes the option of a court appeal if they fall short of the funding formula.
His office has scheduled eight hearings on the measures, including one set for 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Mississippi School of the Arts in Brookhaven.
All hearings will be transcribed and placed on the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ms.gov. The Secretary of State’s Office will accept written comments as well.
Hoseman said his office isn’t taking a stance on either of the initiatives. Rather, he wants the public to be well informed of their ballot choice and be aware of misinformation that has been spread by both sides.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there and we want people to have accurate information so that they can make an informed decisions,” he said.
Hosemann said that contrary to claims by Initiative 42 supporters, if passed, the amendment will not be phased in.
“It’ll be effective 30 days after the election. If it’s passed, it’ll be part of the Mississippi Constitution. How it’s funded will be left up to the Legislature or the chancery court,” he said.
On the other hand, proponents of 42-A continue to claim that funding will be determined by a Hinds County judge if the other initiative passes and legal challenges arise over education funding.
“That’s not necessarily true. It may or may not be. It depends on where it is filed. It can be in any county if it passes,” Hosemann said of would-be lawsuits over school funding.
Hosemann said it’s critical for voters to understand the two measures clearly.
“In the past three years, we will have dealt with four of the most important things that we can,” he said.
“We (Mississippians) will have voted on the right to vote, the right to life, eminent domain and now education,” he said.
“It is critical that when an issue raises to this level of public discussion, people in the press tell the true story,” he said.
Hosemann will meet with the State Election Board on Sept 9. At that time the board will determine the ballots and everything on it.
