Two elections will take place in the state of Mississippi tomorrow, so here’s some important information to keep in mind for both races.
Republican Runoff – MS 2nd Congressional District
Back on March 10th, Republican candidates Brian Flowers and Carey Thomas each received around 37% of the vote to qualify for the runoff which was originally scheduled for March 31st.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the runoff was rescheduled for Tuesday, June 23rd. The winner of tomorrow’s runoff will move on to face incumbent Congressman Bennie Thompson (D) in November’s general election.
As a reminder from the Secretary of State’s Office, voters who participated in the March 10 Democratic Primary for the 2nd Congressional District are unable to vote in the June 23rd Republican Primary runoff election.
Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. To find your polling place, click here.
Special Election – Mississippi House District 88 (Jasper & Jones Counties)
Following the January resignation of freshman Representative Ramona Blackledge, a special election will be held tomorrow to fill her vacant seat. The candidates in the race are Robin Robinson, Michael Walker and Jason Dykes. According to the SOS Office, Jason Dykes has since withdrawn his candidacy and stated he will not take the office if elected. Because this is a special election, the candidates’ party affiliations will not be listed on the ballot.
Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. To find your polling place, click here.
COVID-19
Extra safety precautions are being taken at polling places across the state.
- The Secretary of State’s Office is providing personal protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, and face shields, for poll workers to utilize on Election Day.
- The Secretary of State’s Office is also providing hand sanitizer for each polling place.
- Voters are encouraged to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and vote at off-peak hours to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Mississippi is a bottom-up state, so each county may implement additional COVID-19 safety guidelines and procedures.
“We understand that COVID-19 is still a major concern across the country. Our goal is to do everything we can to ensure voters feel safe as they exercise their duty to vote,” said Secretary of State Michael Watson. “As we continue to safeguard our democracy, I encourage voters to take every safety precaution possible as they head to the polls on Tuesday, June 23.”
Additional information for election day from the SOS can be seen below:
Absentee Ballot by Mail Deadline (5 p.m.): The mail-in absentee voting deadline is Monday, June 22. Circuit Clerks’ Offices must be in actual receipt of absentee ballots by 5 p.m. This is not a postmark deadline but an actual receipt deadline.
- UOCAVA Absentee Ballot Deadline: The UOCAVA absentee ballot deadline is Tuesday, June 23. Absentee ballots received by the Circuit Clerks’ Offices by 7:00 p.m. from UOCAVA voters by email, fax or mail are timely, and should be delivered to the voters’ respective precincts for processing by the poll managers.
- Polling Place Location: A polling place locator is available on the Secretary of State’s website at http://www.sos.ms.gov/PollingPlace/Pages/default.aspx.
- Voter Photo ID: Voters are required to show photo identification at the polls. A voter without an acceptable form of photo identification is entitled to cast an affidavit ballot. An affidavit ballot may be counted if the voter provides an acceptable form of photo identification to the Circuit Clerk’s Office within five business days after the election. For more information, visit www.msvoterID.ms.gov.
- Campaigning: It is unlawful to campaign for any candidate within 150 feet of any entrance to a polling place, unless on private property.
- Loitering: The polling places should be clear for 30 feet from every entrance of all people except elections officials, voters waiting to vote, or authorized poll watchers.
- Camera Phones: Voters are prohibited from taking pictures of their marked ballot.
