Supreme Court Rules On Prop 42 Language

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Supporters of a school funding initiative have lost a battle in the Mississippi Supreme Court.

In a split decision Thursday, justices ruled that a Hinds County circuit judge should not have rewritten the ballot title for an alternative initiative that legislators put on the November ballot.

A ballot title is a brief description of a proposed constitutional amendment.

The justices’ ruling means the original language for the alternative initiative will appear on the ballot.

Initiative 42 got on the ballot through citizens’ petitions. Its title says the state must provide “an adequate and efficient system of free public schools.”

The original Initiative 42-A title says the state must provide “effective free public schools.”

Supporters of 42 sued to seek a new description of the alternative, arguing voters could become confused.