Elections and Voting

League of Women Voters^®
of Mississippi, Inc.

What you need to know about Voting in Mississippi

Who's on the ballot? When's the next election? How do I register to vote?...and more!

Your Polling Location. Election Information. Voting Problems. Register to Vote. Absentee Voting.

Finding Your Polling Location -- Vote 411

Find your poll location using the LWV's Vote411! [Note: If your polling location has recently moved, it may not be listed here. Please call your Circuit Clerk's office or follow the link listed below for more information.]
The Mississippi Secretary of State's office lists each polling location by county. Click here, then select your county.

Election Information

Click for information from the Mississippi Secretary of State about upcoming Elections.

Voting Problems

FOR VOTING PROBLEMS ON ELECTION DAY CALL
The League of Women Voters of Mississippi Election Hotline - (601) 355-7495
The Secretary of State's Office - Election Hotline - (800) 829 6786
The U.S. Justice Department - (800) 253 3931
Mississippi Protection and Advocacy - (800) 772 4057

If you have a complaint about your voting experience, please complete a Help America Vote Act Complaint Form

Registering to Vote

To register to vote in Mississippi, you must affirm that you:

are a U.S. citizen.
are at least eighteen (18) years old or will be before the next general election
live in the state and county where you are registering for at least 30 days before voting
have never been convicted of murder, arson, armed robbery, bigamy, bribery, embezzlement, extortion, felony bad check, felony shoplifting, forgery, larceny, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, rape, receiving stolen property, robbery, theft, timber larceny, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, statutory rape, or carjacking, or have had your rights restored as required by law
have not been declared mentally incompetent by a court
will faithfully support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Mississippi and bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

Complete the Registration Form provided by the Secretary of State or your county Circuit Clerk at least 30 days before the election. If you have questions call your county Circuit Clerk or call the Secretary of State at 1-800-829-6786.
You will need a driver's license, social security number, or a copy of a current and valid photo identification, utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing your name and address.
You are not required to register your party affiliation; however, you will only be allowed to vote in one party primary.
If you have previously registered and want to change your name or address, you must complete the same form as newly registered voters.

Absentee Voting Process

Eligible Absentee Voters include any duly qualified and registered elector who will be absent from their county of residence on Election Day or any of the following individuals who may not be present on Election Day:

Any enlisted or commissioned members of the US armed forces who are citizens of Mississippi.
Any member of the Merchant Marine or American Red Cross who is a citizen of Mississippi.
Any disabled war veteran who is a patient in any hospital, who is a citizen of Mississippi.
Any civilian attached to and serving outside of the US with any branch of the Armed Forces or with the Merchant Marine or American Red Cross, who is a citizen of Mississippi.
Any citizen of Mississippi temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the US and the District of Columbia.
An employee engaged in interstate transportation required to be away from his or her county of residence on Election Day due to employment.
A student, teacher or administrator required to be over 50 miles away from the county of residence on Election Day due to employment.
An employee engaged in offshore employment, or as an employee on a vessel or other watercraft.
An employee, businessperson, professional, tradesman or worker required being over 50 miles away from the county of residence on Election Day due to employment.
Anyone with a temporary or permanent physical disability.
Anyone 65 years of age or older.
A parent, spouse or dependent staying with a hospitalized person with a temporary or permanent disability and is 50 miles or more away from his or her county of residence on Election Day.
A member of a congressional delegation required to be over 50 miles away from his or her county of residence on Election Day.

Special Situations

Uniform and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), an emergency rule allowing these citizens to register to vote up until fourteen (14)days before an election. For further information on military and overseas citizen absentee voting, see below

Katrina Voters Assistance. Assistance with voting is available for those displaced by the hurricane. For further information see www.Katrinavoters.com

Absentee Voting Deadlines come early to help assure your ballot is counted. Contact your County Voter Registrar or Municipal Clerk at least two weeks before the election.

If You Intend to Vote in the Circuit Clerk's Office Before Election Day. Go to the Circuit Clerks office in the county in which you are registered, and tell them you want to vote absentee. They will let you vote an absentee ballot right then and there.

If You Intend to Vote By Mail. Allow three weeks minimum between submitting your application for an absentee ballot and the deadline to vote by absentee ballot. You will need to have your ballot notarized unless you are disabled (Main post offices and town halls will notarize your ballet).

Questions? Contact the Secretary of State's Election Hotline at (606) 829-6786.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: November 13, 2009 23:30 PST.