En español | Mississippi allows any voter 65 and over to cast an absentee ballot by mail or vote early in person, but other voters will need an acceptable reason.
Mississippians will vote for governor, state legislature and other statewide offices in 2023. The primary was Tuesday, Aug. 8, and the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 7
A federal judge temporarily blocked a 2023 law that places limits on who can help voters cast their ballots by mail, so it will not be enforced for the Nov. 7, 2023 election. Litigation is ongoing. Check back for updates.
Also, voters can now track absentee ballots, check polling places and view sample ballots online through the state’s My Election Day tool, which launched in July 2023.
The state’s 2021 redistricting plan changed certain boundaries of some legislative and U.S. congressional districts and may affect which candidates appear on your ballot.
Register by Tuesday, Oct. 10, to vote in the general election. Applications must be postmarked by the deadline. Go to yallvote.ms to check your voter registration status.
Only certain people qualify to vote absentee using a mail-in ballot. They include:
Absentee ballot applications will be available starting Wednesday, Sept. 6, for the general election.
Contact your county circuit clerk’s office to see if you qualify. If you do, request that an application be mailed to you. You must indicate on the application the reason you need an absentee mail-in ballot.
Mail-in absentee ballot applications should be notarized, but there’s an exception: If you are temporarily or permanently disabled, you instead need a witness 18 or older to sign. Mail the application to your county circuit clerk’s office.
Your county circuit clerk's office will mail your absentee ballot to you within one day of receiving your application.
Completed ballots must be returned by mail to your county circuit clerk’s office Tuesday, Nov. 7, for the general election. Mail-in absentee ballots require a witness signature and will come with instructions about who qualifies. Postage is required. Ballots must be received no later than five business days after the election.
A federal judge temporarily blocked a 2023 law that places restrictions on who can assist you if you need help returning an absentee ballot. The law will not be enforced for Nov. 7, 2023, election but litigation is ongoing. Check back for updates.
For more information on absentee voting, read the secretary of state’s step-by-step absentee guide or visit yallvote.ms.
Yes, by logging into the Secretary of State’s My Election Day tool.
Mississippi offers in-person absentee voting, but only to those who qualify. Some of those who are eligible include:
Early voting will begin as soon as absentee ballots are available and run through Saturday, Nov. 4, for the general election.
You may cast your ballot during regular business hours at your county circuit clerk’s office. Saturday voting will be available on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 for the general election.
Check with your county circuit clerk’s office for more details about when and where to vote.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT. If you’re in line before the polls close, you’ll be allowed to vote.
Use the polling place locator, available through yallvote.ms, to find your polling place. Or, if you have questions, contact your county circuit clerk’s office, email the secretary of state's office at ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov or call the elections hotline at 800-829-6786.
Yes, Mississippi law requires voters to present a current photo ID card before casting a ballot.
Acceptable forms of identification, as outlined on the yallvote.ms site, include:
If you have questions about getting a voter ID card, email MSVoterID@sos.ms.gov or call 844-678-6837.
Editor’s note: This guide was updated on Aug. 11, 2023, with information about how to vote in the 2023 election. The guide was first published on Aug. 3, 2020.
Also of Interest:
This story is provided by AARP Mississippi. Visit the AARP Mississippi page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.
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