How to Vote in Mississippi's 2022 Elections

En español | Mississippi’s Nov. 8 general election will decide races for the U.S. House of Representatives. The state’s primary election was June 7, and the primary runoff election was June 28.

Essential info:

• Mail-in absentee voting: Mail-in absentee ballots are only available to some voters, including people who are permanently or temporarily disabled, who are temporarily living outside their county or who are age 65 or older.  

• Early in-person absentee voting: This option is only available to people who qualify, including voters who need to work on Election Day, those who will be away from their county of residence and anyone 65 or older.  

• In-person voting on Election Day: The state’s general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

What's new this year?

The state’s new redistricting plan has changed certain boundaries of some legislative and U.S. congressional districts and may affect which candidates appear on your ballot.

What races are on the ballot and who's running?

• U.S. House: All four districts
  
  • 1st District: incumbent Trent Kelly (R), Dianne Black (D)
  • 2nd District: incumbent Bennie Thompson (D), Brian Flowers (R)
  • 3rd District: incumbent Michael Guest (R), Shuwaski Young (D)
  • 4th District: Johnny DuPree (D), Mike Ezell (R), Alden Patrick Young (L)

How do I register to vote?

Mississippians can register to vote by mail or in person. 

• By mail: Download the voter registration application from the secretary of state’s website or www.yallvote.ms, and send the completed form to your county circuit clerk’s office, as listed on the form. Or pick up an application at your circuit clerk’s office, your municipal clerk’s office or a public library. You can also contact your circuit clerk’s office to request a mailed copy of the registration form. Circuit clerk office contact details are included in the county election information provided by the secretary of state or the www.yallvote.ms website.  

• In person: Visit your circuit clerk’s office or your municipal clerk’s office, or register when you get your driver’s license through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. 

The deadline to register is Oct. 10. If you are mailing your registration application, it must be postmarked by this date. 

You can check your voter registration status on the www.yallvote.ms website. 
 

How can I get a mail-in absentee ballot? Are there important deadlines?

Only certain people qualify to vote absentee using a mail-in ballot. They include: 

• Voters temporarily living outside their county of residence  
• Voters who, due to a temporary or permanent physical disability, are unable to vote in person  
• The parent, spouse or dependent of anyone hospitalized more than 50 miles away from his or her home, if that voter is with the hospitalized person on Election Day  
• Anyone age 65 or older  

Contact your county circuit clerk’s office to see if you qualify to get a mail-in absentee ballot. If you do, request that an application be mailed to you. On the application, indicate the reason you need an absentee mail-in ballot, and have a witness, such as a notary public, sign it. Mail the application to your county circuit clerk’s office, which will send you an official ballot. The ballot will also require a witness signature and will give instructions about who qualifies.  

Mail-in absentee ballots are available at county circuit clerk’s office. They’ll be sent to eligible voters starting Sept. 24. Completed ballots must be returned by mail and must be postmarked on or before Nov. 8. Ballots must be received by county circuit clerks by 5 p.m. on Nov. 15. 

Additional information about absentee voting can be found on www.yallvote.ms. 

Can I track my absentee ballot?

This depends on your county election officials. Contact your county circuit clerk’s office to see if absentee ballot tracking is available. 

Can I vote in person before Election Day?

Mississippi offers in-person absentee voting, but only to those who qualify. 

There are several categories under state law that might make you eligible to vote in person as an absentee voter. Some of those who qualify include: 

• College students who are outside their county of residence 
• Voters who are required to be away for work or otherwise on Election Day 
• People who are physically disabled 
• Anyone age 65 or older 
• Those who need to be at work during Election Day poll hours 

In-person absentee voting is available during normal business hours at your county circuit clerk’s office, starting Sept. 24. Your county circuit clerk’s office will also be open from 8 a.m. to noon on the two Saturdays before the election to accommodate people who can’t cast an in-person absentee ballot during the week. 

More information about voting absentee in person is on www.yallvote.ms. 

When is Election Day? When are polls open?

The state’s general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. As long as you are in line by 7 p.m., you will be able to cast your ballot. 

Use the polling place locator, available through www.yallvote.ms, to find your polling place. Or, if you have questions about where to vote, contact your county circuit clerk’s office or reach out to the secretary of state’s elections hotline at 800-829-6786. 

Do I need identification to vote?

Yes, Mississippi law requires voters to present a photo ID card before casting a ballot. 

Acceptable forms of identification, as outlined on the www.yallvote.ms site, include: 

• A driver’s license 
• A photo ID card issued by a Mississippi state branch or department 
• A United States passport 
• A government employee ID card 
• A firearms license 
•  A student photo ID from an accredited Mississippi school, including universities, colleges and community/junior colleges 
• A U.S. military ID card 
• A tribal photo ID card 
• Any other photo ID card issued by the U.S. or state government 
• A Mississippi voter ID card, which can easily be acquired for free 

If you need help or have questions about getting a voter ID card, email MSVoterID@sos.ms.gov or call 844-MSVoter (844-678-6837). 

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on June 29, 2022, after the primary runoff and with information about the general election. The guide was first published on Aug. 3, 2020.

Also of Interest: 

• Follow AARP’s political coverage at aarp.org/elections 
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at aarp.org/ms