73% of Mississippians voted in favor of an eminent domain initiative earlier this month. Initiative #31 amends the Mississippi Constitution to prohibit state and local government from taking private property by eminent domain and then conveying it to other persons or private businesses for a period of 10 years after acquisition. Exceptions from the prohibition include drainage and levee facilities, roads, bridges, ports, airports, common carriers, and utilities. The prohibition would not apply in certain situations, including public nuisance, structures unfit for human habitation, or abandoned property. Mississippi is the 44th state to restrict the use of eminent domain for private development.