Special legislative elections are happening in some parts of Mississippi with voters asked to head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
A majority of the seats on ballots stem from a federal order that lawmakers redraw House districts in the Chickasaw County area, along with Senate districts in the Hattiesburg and DeSoto County areas, after it was determined that the previously used maps diluted Black voting power. The new maps resulted in elections for 14 seats. Primaries were held in August with the generals soon to be underway.
Add in a House seat left vacant by now-Clarksdale Mayor Orlando Paden, a Senate seat left vacant by now-Jackson Mayor John Horhn, and a Senate seat left vacant by the retiring David Jordan of Greenwood, a total of 17 seats at the capitol are up for grabs. Races for some local positions are happening as well.
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 who lives in the following districts is asked to give their say on who will be the next person to represent them at the capitol: House District 16, House District 22, House District 26, House District 36, House District 39, House District 41, Senate District 1, Senate District 2, Senate District 11, Senate District 19, Senate District 24, Senate District 26, Senate District 34, Senate District 41, Senate District 42, Senate District 44, and Senate District 45.
The aforementioned districts encompass either all of parts of Bolivar, Chickasaw, Clay, Coahoma, Covington, DeSoto, Greene, Hinds, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Oktibbeha, Panola, Perry, Pontotoc, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, Quitman, Walthall, and Wayne counties.
As for races for local positions, the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office offers an online tool for residents to check to see which elections are happening in their area.
When are the polls open?
Polls are open Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Secretary Michael 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 Nov. 1. For those voting absentee by mail, ballots must be postmarked on or by the election date of Nov. 4.
Who’s running?
The only legislative districts where there’s just one candidate are Senate District 34, Senate District 41, Senate District 42, House District 16, House District 36, House District 39, and House District 41.
All other races are contested. A full list of candidates can be found here.
When’s the next election?
For the 14 legislative seats redrawn after the federal order, this is the final say. Primaries were held in August with generals now here.
For the seats left vacant by Paden, Horhn, and Jordan, if no candidate reaches the 50% plus one threshold, runoffs will happen on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
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 message. Questions on the voting process can be directed to ElectionAnswers@sos.ms.gov or by calling 1-800-829-6786.
