JACKSON, MISS– Tuesday, Mississippians will have the opportunity to cast a ballot for Presidential, Congressional, and Judicial candidates, among others.
“We can honor our members of the Armed Forces who are fighting to protect our rights by voting for our next elected leaders,” Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said. “If absentee ballot requests are any indication, Mississippians will be at the polls in full force.”
As of Monday, 112,529 absentee ballots have been requested. This is about 6,000 more than those requested and received in the 2012 General Election. About 1.86 million Mississippians are registered and eligible to cast a ballot on Election Day.
Voters who experience a problem at the polls or have other questions should call the Secretary of State’s Election Hotline at (800) 829-6786. Circuit clerks, poll workers (including bailiffs), and election commissioners can also provide assistance.
Other important information for Election Day is as follows:
- Polling Place Hours: Polling places are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A voter is permitted to cast a ballot if he or she is standing in line at 7 p.m.
- Polling Place Locations: A voter can visit the Secretary of State’s Polling Place Locator to find out the address of the location where he or she is required to cast a ballot. Voter registration cards also list polling locations. Additionally, the Circuit Clerk’s Office can provide assistance.
- Voter ID: Voters are required to show photo identification at the polls. Acceptable photo identification includes a driver’s license; state or federal government-issued photo ID; U.S. passport; firearms license; student photo ID from an accredited Mississippi college, university, or junior and community college; U.S. military ID; tribal photo ID; or free Mississippi Voter ID card. A voter without proper identification will be allowed to cast an affidavit ballot. An affidavit ballot is counted if the voter provides proper identification to the Circuit Clerk or obtains a free Mississippi Voter ID card within five business days (November 16, 2016) after the election. For more information, visit www.MSVoterID.ms.gov.
- Campaigning: It is unlawful to campaign for any candidate or party within 150 feet of a polling place, unless on private property.
- Loitering: It is unlawful for any person to loiter within 30 feet of a polling place, including within a polling place. Voters should please leave the polling place after voting.
- Privacy: A voter is not permitted to show his or her marked ballot to any other person.
- Poll Watchers: Parties are permitted two credentialed poll watchers in each polling place, and candidates are permitted one credentialed poll watcher. Individuals not authorized as a credentialed poll watcher by a party or a candidate will not be permitted to observe or loiter inside the polling place. Circuit clerks, election commissioners, pollworkers, and authorized observers are also permitted to remain in polling places.
- Observers: The Secretary of State’s Office will have observers at polling places in at least 32 counties throughout the State. The Attorney General’s Office will also have observers stationed throughout the State. Observers do not have the authority to rectify any problems arising at the polls, but they can contact the Secretary of State’s Office and any relevant local election official, District Attorney, or law enforcement official.
- Write-In Votes: Write-in votes are only counted in the event of the death, resignation, withdrawal, or removal of any candidate whose name was printed on the official ballot.
