September has officially been proclaimed as National Voter Registration Month in Mississippi.
On Friday, Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson joined the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) in promoting the importance of voting on the heels of a historic election year on both the state and federal levels.
During the month of September, Watson’s office along with other government agencies and organizations will work to sign up additional voters across the state while spreading the word on the importance of keeping voter registration up to date.
“Voting is a fundamental right for all American citizens, and we encourage those who are eligible to exercise their civic duty,” Watson said. “I’m proud of our continued efforts to encourage participation here in Mississippi, including helping to register nearly 310,000 Mississippians since taking office in 2020.”
In 2002, NASS members established September as National Voter Registration Month to focus on encouraging the right to vote and reminding people of state requirements and deadlines for voting. Tuesday, Sept. 17 will also be acknowledged by the NASS as National Voter Registration Day.
The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office will be making at least eight stops in September as part of its Voter Registration Road Trip. The current schedule includes:
- Sept. 3: Mississippi State University
- Sept. 5: Northwest Mississippi Community College
- Sept. 12: Millsaps College
- Sept. 12: Murrah High School
- Sept. 16: Mississippi College School of Law
- Sept. 18: Delta State University
- Sept. 20: Mississippi State University
Residents do not have to find Watson and his team in person to register or update registration information. The easiest way for someone to register is by printing out this form, filling it out, and mailing it to the local circuit clerk’s office.
Watson reminds people that if they do not have access to a printer, mail-in registration forms are available at his office in Jackson and in public libraries, driver’s license exam stations, circuit clerk’s offices, municipal clerk’s offices, and public schools across the state. For those who prefer to register in person, circuit clerk and municipal clerk’s offices across the state offer a way to do that.
Like registering, there are multiple ways to update voter registration in Mississippi with the easiest being online. Voter registration can also be updated at local circuit clerk and municipal clerk’s offices.
This year’s general elections in Mississippi on Tuesday, Nov. 5 include the presidential election, five of six congressional seats, four state supreme court seats, along with various local races. To be eligible to vote, registration must be completed by Oct. 7.
