MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi is one state which DOES allow amendment to the constitution by initiative. However, there's a problem. It requires no more than one-fifth of the requisite signatures come from each congressional district. Mississippi, as of 2001, does not have at least five congressional districts. As such, Mississippi's entire right to initiavite is legally unworkable. Because of this, we must treat Mississippi as a non-initiative state. Furthermore, Mississippi's constitution does NOT demand a periodic question asking if a constitutional convention should be held. This is not the end of the story. State legislators are still human, and they will listen to you, if there are enough of you. Contact them daily, and voice your opinion on demarchy and its importance to Mississippi.

It is also plausible, at the state level, to run for a legislature seat yourself, or encourage a friend to.

It is furthermore plausible to establish a party for this purpose, to better coordinate your vote.

Once the amendment gets on the ballot, it is still imperative that you vote. Amendments require a majority of voters to approve it in an election. Do not forget this step.

Again, the needed elements are:

FIRST: A selected legislative branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of senate and representatives - This is the important element. If nothing else is done, this must be.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison control one seat

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

SECOND: A selected executive branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of governor, lieutenant-governor, et al.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison discharge all administrative duties

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

THIRD: A selected judicial branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of judges

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that judges are not permitted to step down

The astute will note I have highlighted one item. This is because, all else failing, a legislature so composed will reasonably be expected to institute the rest of this form of government, both at the state level and at all levels controlled by state law. If the rest of this cannot be pushed through, that item alone will salvage Mississippi from depredation, and if that item is not present, the rest of this is rather pointless.

Important highlights of the Mississippi Constitution are thus:

Article 4 empowers the legislative branch.

Section 37 handles the appointment of both chambers of the legislature.

Section 49 empowers the legislature to impeach.

Section 51 handles punishment for impeachment.

Section 53 handles the removal of judges for cause inadequate to impeach.

Article 5 empowers the executive branch.

Section 140 handles the appointment of the governor.

Section 143 handles the appointment of all other state officers.

Article 6 empowers the judicial branch.

Section 145 handles the appointment of the Supreme Court.

Section 153 handles the appointment of circuit & chancery court judges.

Section 173 handles the appointment of the attorney general.

Section 174 handles the appointment of the district attorneys.

On the county and city levels, similar changes will need to be made. These matters are handled by law or other parts of the constitution. I have faith that a citizen legislature in Mississippi will attend to this problem with due urgency and care.