MS HB1378

Amends Section 23-15-961 of Mississippi Code to clarify procedures for contesting qualifications of political party primary election candidates.

Establishes that challenges to candidate qualifications must be filed within 10 days after the qualifying deadline with the appropriate political party executive committee.

Requires the executive committee to hold a hearing and rule on the petition within 10 days, with failure to rule treated as a denial.

Allows aggrieved parties to file for judicial review in circuit court within 15 days, with the case heard de novo by a judge from a different district and without a jury.

Clarifies that Section 23-15-961 is the sole procedure for challenging candidate qualifications before nomination, while elections after a nominee is chosen are challenged under Sections 23-15-921 and 23-15-927, effective July 1, 2015.