Meridianites will head to the polls in March to select the next person to represent them in the state House of Representatives after Gov. Tate Reeves on Friday declared a special election to fill the seat.

 

House District 82, which includes Meridian, was represented by Charles L. Young Jr., who died Dec. 19.

 

In a Writ of Election issued to Lauderdale County Election Commissioners, Reeves set the election for March 25 with a runoff date of April 22 if needed.

 

Candidates for the House seat will have until 5 p.m. on Feb. 3 to qualify for the race.

 

Young, a descendant of prominent Meridian businessman E.F. Young Jr., was first elected to represent House District 82 in 2011. It is the same seat his father, Charles L. Young Sr., filled from 1980 to his death in April 2009.

 

Lauderdale County supervisors on Monday recognized Young for his service to Meridian and the surrounding community, passing a resolution marking his accomplishments by unanimous vote. Supervisor Josh Todd said Young was an ardent supporter of his district and will be missed.

 

Candidates wishing to run in the House District 82 race must be at least 21-years-old, have been a Mississippi resident for four years and a resident of the district for at least two years prior to Election Day. Those running on a political party’s platform must submit a statement of intent and $250 to the party’s executive committee, while independent candidates must file a statement of intent, $250 and a petition with at least 50 signatures of voters in the district to the Secretary of State’s office.

 

In a separate announcement, Reeves on Friday also declared a special election to replace 12th District Chancery Court Judge Charlie Smith, who retired July 1, 2024. The special election will be held on Nov. 4, with the deadline to qualify also at 5 p.m. on Feb. 3.

 

The 12th District Chancery Court includes both Lauderdale and Clarke counties.

 

Chancery judge candidates must be at least 26-years-old, live in the 12th Chancery Court district, be a resident of Mississippi for five years and a practicing attorney for five years. Judicial races are nonpartisan, meaning candidates do not run on party platforms, but those wishing to throw their name in the hat must still file a statement of intent, an affidavit of judicial candidate and a $100 filing fee with the Secretary of State’s office.