Municipalities across Mississippi will have a chance to elect new leadership on Tuesday, June 3, as general races are being held statewide.
From mayor to city council to board of aldermen and more, lots will be on the ballot for some voters. Secretary of State Michael Watson has harped throughout the current cycle that these are “the elections that really matter,” encouraging everyone eligible to carve out some time to cast a ballot.
To make the voting process as seamless as possible, we’ve put together this guide on what to know before heading to the polls.
Who can vote?
Any registered voter may participate in their municipality’s general election. The deadline to register was May 5. Sample ballots can be found here.
When are the polls open?
Polls statewide are open Tuesday, June 3, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Watson, whose office manages elections, reminds eligible voters that anyone in line before 7 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot. Polling locations can be verified here.
What should you bring to the polls?
Eligible voters should bring a photo ID to their polling location. Voters without an acceptable form of photo identification are entitled to cast an affidavit ballot. However, Watson urges people to check for an ID before heading to the polls, so they won’t have to go through the affidavit process. A list of acceptable photo IDs can be found here. Voters who end up casting an affidavit ballot will be required to present an acceptable form of photo ID to their municipal clerk’s office in the days after the election for their ballots to be counted.
What should you not bring to the polls?
While cell phones are allowed inside polling locations, Mississippi law does not allow people to take a photo of any marked ballot. Watson reminds people that campaigning within 150 feet of any entrance to a polling location, unless a private property, is unlawful. Thus, don’t bring signs for your candidates of choice and set up outside the door.
Is it too late to vote absentee?
The final day to vote absentee in person was May 31. For those voting absentee by mail, ballots must be postmarked on or by Election Day on Tuesday, June 3, to count.
Eligible reasons for absentee voting include but are not limited to being out of town when the election takes place, living with a disability, or being 65 years or older.
What if I have questions about the voting process?
Residents can receive personalized election information through the Y’all Vote resource provided by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office. The office also recently launched a new platform for voters to access important election information and report issues through text messaging. Questions on the voting process can be directed to [email protected] or by calling 1-800-829-6786.
Mississippi’s largest cities getting new mayors
While municipal races will be held statewide with residents voting on positions ranging from mayor to council members and more, new leadership is inevitable in Mississippi’s two most populous cities.
In Jackson, capital city voters overwhelmingly decided to move away from embattled Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba after previously being elected twice. Democratic challenger and longtime state Sen. John Horhn came out on top in a 12-candidate primary field but still had to face the incumbent in a runoff. Lumumba was no match as Horhn received almost 75% of the votes.
Horhn now faces a lesser-known Republican nominee, police officer Kenneth Gee, and a slate of independent candidates: Rodney DePriest, Zach Servis, Lille Stewart-Robinson, and Kim Wade.
In Gulfport, Mayor Billy Hewes’ decision to not seek reelection has pitted a veteran attorney against a former lawmaker. Hugh Keating, who previously served president of the Mississippi Bar Association and helped found a full-service firm, ran unopposed in the GOP primary and has received backing from Hewes. Sonya Williams Barnes left the state House of Representatives in 2022 and is now looking to reenter the political scene.
The mayoral race in the coastal city has picked up national steam with U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina getting behind Keating and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams pushing for Barnes. Other political figures both in and out of the state have picked sides, as well, as Republicans fear the seat might be lost. Barnes tabbed 3,316 votes during a contested Democratic primary last month. Hewes, the outgoing Republican mayor, received 2,680 votes when winning the general election in 2021.
Contested mayoral races are also taking place in Biloxi, Brookhaven, Clarksdale, Columbus, Holly Springs, Horn Lake, Gautier, Greenwood, Kosciusko, Magee, Moss Point, Pearl, Philadelphia, Senatobia, and Wiggins, among other cities.
How to track results on election night
To keep up with live results after the polls close, tune in to one of the over 45 stations across the state that carry SuperTalk Mississippi News. Live updates will be posted on Facebook and X. Written recaps will be provided on supertalk.fm upon elections being called.
