Mississippi Voting Guide

Each state has slightly different voting laws. It’s important to know your voting rights​ and how they’re affected in Mississippi. Whether it’s your first time voting​ or just the first time you’ll be casting a ballot in Mississippi, understanding the state’s voting laws is crucial. Regardless of your party affiliation, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with Mississippi‘s rules before Election Day.

Some of the questions voters in Mississippi may have include the following:

• How do I request an absentee ballot?
• How does early voting​ work in Mississippi?
• Who can vote in a primary election?
• Does the state government allow in-person absentee voting?

This Mississippi Voter Guide will help answer these questions and more, including how Mississippi handles voting for people with a physical disability. This article will also provide useful voter information, such as voter eligibility, mail-in voting, and other special election information.

State voting laws can change. While this guide reflects the Mississippi voting requirements in 2026, it’s a good idea to verify the most up-to-date information with the Mississippi Secretary of State‘s office​ or your local Circuit Clerk.

If someone denies you the right to vote or interferes with you at the polling place, notify an election official right away. There may also be situations in which you’ll want to consult a Mississippi civil rights lawyer.

Who Can Vote in Mississippi?

Not sure if you can vote in the next election? Whether you plan to vote in person or by mail,  there are certain conditions you must meet.

To be eligible to vote​ in Mississippi, you must meet the following criteria:

• You are a U.S. citizen
• You have resided in-state and in your precinct for at least 30 days before the general election​
• You must be at least 18 years of age on Election Day

You are not eligible to vote in Mississippi if:

• The state has declared you mentally incompetent ​
• The State has convicted you of a disenfranchising crime​

If you meet the requirements but an election official denies you the opportunity to vote, you should contact a local civil rights attorney.

Felony Convictions and the Right to Vote in Mississippi

Mississippi law prohibits some people from voting if they have a conviction for what the state refers to as a disenfranchising crime. These are crimes the state considers so serious that a person convicted of them no longer has the right to vote.

According to the Mississippi State Constitution, the following felony offenses are some of the disenfranchising crimes​:

• Voter fraud
• Murder​
• Arson
• Rape
• Larceny
• Armed robbery​
• Embezzlement
• Statutory rape
• Carjacking​

This list is not exhaustive. There are dozens of crimes that can disqualify a person from voting in state elections.

If you have a felony conviction for one of these crimes, you may be able to have your voting rights restored through legislative action or gubernatorial pardon. A civil rights attorney can help you petition the state government to restore your voting rights. Another approach to consider is speaking to an experienced criminal defense attorney about seeking an expungement.

Where Do I Vote?

To cast your ballot, you need to know where to go. To find your designated polling place, use the Mississippi Polling Place Locator​ or contact your local Circuit Clerk.

How To Register To Vote in Mississippi

You cannot vote if you aren’t registered. If you’ve voted before in Mississippi, you shouldn’t have any issue casting your ballot in upcoming elections. However, if this is your first time voting in Mississippi or if you have a different mailing address after moving, you’ll need to register.

You can register to vote​ in several ways in the State of Mississippi, including:

• In Person: Fill out a voter registration application at any state or federal government office that provides government services. You can do this at the Municipal Clerk’s Office or the Circuit Clerk’s Office. You can also register to vote when you renew your driver’s license at the Department of Public Safety.
• By Mail: If you prefer to register by mail, you can do so by filling out a Mississippi voter registration application. Send your voter registration application to your local Circuit Clerk’s office. Applications are available online and in government offices.

If you need help registering to vote, you can speak with a local election official or ask for help at the polling place. Poll workers​ can answer any questions you have and help you cast your ballot.

Mississippi‘s Voter Registration Deadline

Unlike some other states, Mississippi does not allow same-day voter registration. You must submit your voter registration application at least 30 days before Election Day. If Election Day falls on a Sunday or a legal holiday, the state will extend the deadline to the next business day. For details regarding voter registration in Mississippi, visit the Secretary of State’s voter information page.

Requesting an Absentee Ballot in Mississippi

If you would like an absentee ballot, you can request one by contacting your local County Circuit Clerk‘s​ office. You must meet specific criteria to be eligible to vote via absentee ballot in Mississippi.

The criteria differ depending on whether you intend to participate as a mail-in absentee voter or through in-person absentee voting. If you don’t meet at least one of the qualifying criteria, you will not be able to vote via an absentee ballot. Let’s take a look at what each requires.

Mail-In Absentee Voting Requirements

The requirements for mail-in and in-person absentee voting​ differ slightly. Knowing these requirements well ahead of the election ensures you won’t miss your window of opportunity.

To be eligible for mail-in absentee voting in Mississippi, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• You are temporarily living out of your county of residence and need a ballot mailed to your temporary address
• You have a temporary or permanent physical disability and cannot vote in person without significant difficulty
• Your presence at a polling place will pose a danger to yourself or other citizens
• You are taking care of a parent, spouse, or dependent with a temporary or permanent physical disability who is hospitalized out of your county of residence or is at least 50 miles away from your designated polling place.
• You are at least 65 years old
• You are incarcerated at a prison or jail for a non-disenfranchising offense​ on Election Day
• Your job requires you to be on call during the hours your polling place is open

If you’re uncertain of your status, check the Secretary of State’s website or speak to your County Clerk.

In-Person Absentee Voters and Eligibility in Mississippi

If you wish to cast an absentee ballot​ in person, you must meet certain criteria. Some of these are the same or similar to the requirements for mail-in absentee voting.

To qualify for in-person absentee voting, you must demonstrate that you meet one of the following criteria:

• You are out of your county of residence on Election Day
• You are a student, teacher, or school administrator who cannot get to the polls during voting hours
• You have a temporary or permanent physical disability
• You are 65 years old or older
• You must work during the hours the polling place is open
• You are taking care of a parent, spouse, or dependent with a temporary or permanent physical disability who is hospitalized out of your county of residence or is at least 50 miles away from your designated polling place
• You are a member of Mississippi‘s Congress​ and will be out of the county on Election Day

If you’re not sure if you qualify, speak to your County Clerk or check the Secretary of State’s website.

What if You Are in the Military?

If you are in the military serving overseas or are a citizen traveling abroad, you can vote using the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), as per the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. If you need help completing these applications, contact your local election officials. They can help you submit an affidavit ballot if you don’t have an acceptable form of photo ID.

Who Can Return an Absentee Ballot in Mississippi?

In 2023, Mississippi lawmakers passed a law redefining who can return absentee ballots. Senate Bill 2358 limited who could return these ballots to prevent so-called ballot harvesting.

Ballot harvesting occurs when a person gathers and submits unauthorized absentee ballots. They do this to help garner votes for the candidate of their choice. SB 2358​ made it a felony for a person to engage in this practice.

Not long after the state government passed this law, it was challenged in the state courts. As a result, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2425, which amended SB 2358 to clarify the definitions of family members and caregivers under the absentee ballot rules.

Under this new law, only immediate family, household members, and caregivers can return another person’s absentee ballot. Anyone else caught doing this will face felony charges. Because these laws have evolved and may continue to change, verify the current requirements with your local Circuit Clerk​ or the Mississippi Secretary of State‘s office.

What To Bring to the Polls on Election Day

Mississippi law requires all voters to present a valid government-issued photo ID​ when they vote. While some states have moved away from this requirement, the Mississippi Constitution, Section 249-A, still maintains it.

Examples of acceptable photo identification​ include:

• Current driver’s license
• Mississippi state ID
• Student photo ID
• Tribal photo ID
• U.S. passport
• Government employee photo ID
• State firearms license
• U.S. military ID
• Mississippi Voter Identification Card​

There are some exceptions to the photo ID requirement. Poll workers won’t require photo ID if:

• You have a religious objection to having someone take your photograph
• You are voting by absentee ballot
• You live in a state-licensed care facility and are voting at a polling place inside the facility

You must submit an affidavit ballot if you are exempt from presenting a photo ID. You cannot vote in person at the polling place if you don’t plan on showing photo ID.

What Special Accommodations Are Available at the Polling Place?

Mississippi offers special accommodations for voters with disabilities. If you are permanently disabled, you can register for the disabled voters’ list. The state will automatically send you an absentee ballot for every election.

If you are disabled but can travel to the polls, special voting machines can accommodate you. These machines can help you in a number of ways, such as:

• Headphones that allow you to listen to the machine read the ballot
• Accessible voting machines​ (ballot marking device) that offer touchscreens and tactile keyboards

In addition to the above aids, Mississippi law also provides that people with disabilities have the following accommodations​ available to them:

• Curbside voting​ for people who cannot physically make it into the polling place
• To avoid long lines, a poll worker will either find you a place to sit or arrange for you to move to the head of the line
• You can bring a family member, friend, or other person to help you vote ​(this person cannot be your employer or union representative)

If anybody at the polls refuses to help you, contact your local election officials to file a complaint. You may also consider talking to a Mississippi civil rights attorney.

Suspicious or Illegal Activity at the Polls

If you witness illegal activity at a polling place, notify an election worker and your local Circuit Clerk. It is best to err on the side of caution while at the polls. If you see something that you believe may be illegal or suspicious, alert a poll worker.

Examples of illegal behavior you may see at the polling place include:

• Voter intimidation​
• Harassment
• People following voters into the polling place
• Threats of violence outside or inside the polling location
• Pressure to vote for a particular candidate
• Individuals (including poll workers) trying to watch who people vote for
• Voter fraud​

The general rule for reporting potential illegal behavior​ at the polls is if something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. There is no harm in reporting possible suspicious behavior, even if your suspicions turn out to be wrong.

How To Report Problems at the Polls

If you experience problems or witness suspicious activity while voting, follow these steps:

1. Notify a poll worker immediately: Alert the first poll worker you see about the issue. They should be able to address minor problems or direct you to someone who can help.
2. Ask to speak with a supervisor: A poll worker may not be able to resolve the issue, or they may be part of the problem. Ask to speak with the polling place supervisor or precinct manager.
3. Contact your County Circuit Clerk: If the issue remains unresolved, contact your County Circuit Clerk‘s office​. They oversee election administration in your county.
4. Report to state election officials: You can also contact the Mississippi Secretary of State‘s Elections Division​ to report serious violations or if local officials are unresponsive. You can call or use the website.
5. File a formal complaint: For serious violations of voting rights, you may need to file a formal complaint with state or federal authorities. A civil rights attorney can help you understand this process.

Document everything you can, including the time, location, names of people involved, and any witnesses. This information will be helpful if you need to file a formal complaint or seek legal assistance.

A Mississippi Civil Rights Attorney Can Help

While most voting issues can be resolved at the polling place or through election officials, there are situations where you may need to consult with a civil rights attorney. An attorney can provide guidance and advocacy if you face more serious voting rights violations.

Consider contacting a civil rights attorney if:

• Your voter registration is wrongfully rejected: If election officials deny your registration application despite meeting all eligibility requirements, an attorney can help you challenge the denial
• You’re denied the right to vote at the polls: If you’re turned away from voting when you believe you’re eligible, legal assistance may be necessary to protect your rights
• Disability accommodations are refused: If a polling place refuses to provide legally required accommodations for your disability, an attorney can help enforce your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Mississippi law
• You want to restore your voting rights after a felony conviction: The process of restoring voting rights after a disenfranchising crime conviction can be complex
• You experience voter intimidation or discrimination: If you face threats, harassment, or discrimination based on race, age, disability, or other protected characteristics, a civil rights attorney can help you file complaints and seek remedies
• Election officials violate proper procedures: If you believe election officials are not following Mississippi election law, an attorney can help you understand your options for challenging these violations

If you believe someone has violated your voting rights, contact an experienced civil rights attorney. An attorney can help determine whether your rights have been violated and what legal options may be available to you.