How to vote in Mississippi General Election

Last update: Sep 20, 2023 11:42 a.m. EDT

Last update: Sep 20, 2023 14:01 p.m. UTC

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This election guide is researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a non-partisan 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization, to inform voters via TurboVote and other partners. The information in these guides originates from official sources. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

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48 days to Election Day!

Get a head start:

Contact your local election office to request your mail-in absentee ballot application.

Make sure you're ready to vote:

Check that you're registered to vote on Mississippi's web site.
You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.

How do I vote in person?

Where can I vote on Election Day?

You can look up where to vote on Mississippi's site.

Can I vote early?

No, early voting in person before Election Day is not offered in this election. However, you may be eligible to vote an absentee ballot. Find the eligibility requirements for absentee voting and contact your local election office to check if you can visit their office to request and return an absentee ballot in person.

What do I need to bring?

You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in Mississippi.

Acceptable forms include:

Mississippi driver's license or state ID card
US passport
employee ID card issued by any agency of the US government, State of Mississippi, or local government unit in Mississippi
firearms license
student photo ID issued by an accredited Mississippi university, college, or community/junior college
US military ID
tribal photo ID
photo ID issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government or any state government
Mississippi voter ID card

Acceptable forms can be expired but cannot be more than 10 years old. The expired ID must contain your name and photograph and have been validly issued by the federal government or a state government.

Voters without ID: If you do not have an accepted form of photo ID, you can vote an affidavit ballot. You will then have 5 business days to show an acceptable form of photo ID, or apply for a Mississippi Voter ID Card, at the Circuit Clerk’s Office.

Can I register to vote online?

Mississippi does not offer online voter registration.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Use the National Voter Registration Form

Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
Box 6 - ID Number: You are required to provide your current and valid Mississippi driver's license number or, if you don't have one, the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, check the box that indicates you do not have an ID number and include a copy of ONE of the following: current and valid photo ID or current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: Mississippi does NOT require that you register with a party to participate in partisan primary elections.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
Sign the form.
Send the completed form to your local election office
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, Federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes:
- current and valid photo identification or
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address.
- More information here.

How do I vote by mail?

Mississippi allows eligible voters to request a mail-in absentee ballot. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Check to see if you’re eligible to vote by mail on Mississippi's site.

How do I get my ballot?

Contact your local election office to determine if you are eligible and request an absentee ballot by mail. There is no deadline for requesting a mail-in absentee ballot.

What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?

If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.

How do I return my ballot?

Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
You can return your ballot by mail. For more information, contact your local election office.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.

What do I need to do if I’ve moved?

What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.

How can I check the status of my ballot?

Mississippi doesn't offer ballot tracking.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

You can also register to vote in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
Learn more by visiting the Mississippi Secretary of State's website or contacting your local election office.

What are key deadlines for this election?

Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?

You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in Mississippi.

Acceptable forms include:

Mississippi driver's license or state ID card
US passport
employee ID card issued by any agency of the US government, State of Mississippi, or local government unit in Mississippi
firearms license
student photo ID issued by an accredited Mississippi university, college, or community/junior college
US military ID
tribal photo ID
photo ID issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government or any state government
Mississippi voter ID card

How do I see what's on my ballot?

View your sample ballot on the Mississippi Secretary of State's website.

How do I get help registering to vote?

TurboVote can help you start the absentee/mail-in ballot request process, send you election reminders, and more. If you’d like more help planning how to vote, we can walk you through the process!

Who can register to vote?

To register in Mississippi you must:

be a citizen of the United States
have lived in Mississippi and in your county (and city, if applicable) 30 days before the election in which you want to vote
be 18 years old by the time of the general election in which you want to vote
not have been convicted in a Mississippi court of voter fraud, arson, armed robbery, bigamy, bribery, carjacking, embezzlement, extortion, felony bad check, felony shoplifting, forgery, larceny, murder, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, rape, receiving stolen property, robbery, statutory rape, theft, timber larceny, larceny under lease or rental agreement, or unlawful taking of motor vehicle (unless you have been pardoned, had rights of citizenship restored by the Governor, or had suffrage restored by the Legislature)
not have been declared mentally incompetent by a court

How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:

Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
Send the application to your local election office.
It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.

If after submitting your FPCA, your ballot does not arrive, contact your local election office first. Then:

You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Mississippi. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

How can I check my voter registration status?

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Mississippi's voter registration lookup tool.

How do I contact my state election office?

Secretary of State

Which election office should I contact?

In Mississippi, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Mississippi. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.

How do I contact my local election office?

Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.

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