Special legislative elections are underway in some parts of Mississippi, with primary races being held Tuesday, Aug. 5.
The elections stem from a federal order that lawmakers redraw House districts in the Chickasaw County area, along with Senate districts in the Hattiesburg area and DeSoto County area, after it was determined that the previously used maps diluted Black voting power. The new maps resulted in elections for 14 legislative seats, 10 of which are contested.
Here’s what to know before heading to the polls.
Who can vote?
Any registered voter who lives in the following districts is eligible to vote: House District 16, House District 22, House District 36, House District 39, House District 41, Senate District 1, Senate District 2, Senate District 11, Senate District 19, Senate District 34, Senate District 41, Senate District 42, Senate District 44, and Senate District 45.
The aforementioned districts encompass either all or parts of Chickasaw, Clay, Coahoma, Covington, DeSoto, Greene, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Marion, Monroe, Oktibbeha, Perry, Pontotoc, Tate, Tunica, Quitman, Walthall, and Wayne counties.
The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office offers an online tool for residents to check for races in their area.
When are the polls open?
Polls are open Tuesday, Aug. 5, 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 Aug. 2. For those voting absentee by mail, ballots must be postmarked on or by Aug. 5 and received by circuit clerks by Aug. 12.
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.
Who’s running?
The only districts where incumbents have no challengers are House District 36, House District 39, Senate District 34, and Senate District 41. The other 10 districts have multiple candidates, with seven of them having contested primaries on either the Republican or Democratic side.
A full list of candidates can be found here.
When is the next election?
If needed, Sept. 5 is reserved for any primary runoffs. The general election will be held on Nov. 4.
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.
