I. MOVING OR UPDATING VOTER REGISTRATION

First, you must be registered to vote. If you aren’t registered, Saturday, April 4 is the last day to register to vote in the primary election. Your municipal clerk’s office may remain open until noon on Saturday, April 4 for voter registration. You can register to vote at your county Circuit Clerk’s office and at your City Hall on any regular business day prior to that date, or you can click here to download a voter registration form. Once you’ve obtained, printed and completed the voter registration form, mail or deliver it to your circuit or municipal clerk’s office. Mail-in voter registration must be postmarked no later than 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 5 to be accepted for the primary election. However, since many post offices are closed on weekends, applicants should mail their applications no later than Friday, April 3 to avoid missing the deadline.

The voter registration deadline for the general election is Saturday, May 2.  Your municipal clerk's office may remain open until noon on Saturday, May 2.  If you intend to use the mail to register to vote for the general election, that mail-in application must be postmarked no later than 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 3.  You should remember that some post offices are closed on weekends; therefore, you should mail your application no later than Friday, May 1. 

You may always register to vote at your circuit clerk's office or your municipal clerk's office during regular business hours.

If you are registered to vote but your permanent address has changed, you need to contact the county circuit clerk or municipal clerk where you permanently reside to update your registration.

If you have been temporarily displaced and intend to return to your home, there is no need to change your voter registration. You may vote at your normal polling place. If your polling place was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, please contact your municipal clerk to find out where you need to go to vote.

(Circuit Clerks’ mailing addresses and contact information can be found in the right side bar.)

II. VOTING ABSENTEE

If you are away from your home county on election day or meet one of the other qualifications in the law, you may vote absentee. You can vote absentee in the municipal clerk’s office before election day. Simply go to the municipal clerk’s office in the municipality where you are registered, and tell them you would like to vote absentee. They will let you vote an absentee ballot right then and there, if you meet the qualifications.  The last day for voting absentee in person for the primary election is Saturday, May 2 at noon.  The last day for voting absentee in person for the general election is Saturday May 30 at noon.

Or, if you are temporarily residing away from your home county, disabled, or over 65 years of age, you can vote absentee through the mail. If you intend to vote by mail your application must be notarized unless you are disabled. To request an absentee ballot, contact the municipal clerk in the municipality where you are registered. The municipal clerk’s office will mail you an application for an absentee ballot. When you receive it, fill it out and mail it in. Soon thereafter, you will receive an absentee ballot listing all of the candidates for office. Mark your choices and return the ballot to the municipal clerk’s office.

Be sure to allow at least three weeks for the mailed absentee ballot process. Remember, you need to request an application, receive and return it, then receive a ballot and return it in order to vote. The municipal clerk must receive your mailed absentee ballot by Monday, May 4 at 5:00 p.m. for the primary election and Monday, June 1 at 5:00 p.m. for the general election

III. SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VOTERS

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting
In order for uniformed and overseas citizens to request an absentee ballot, a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) can be used. A postage paid application can be obtained from a military voting officer, American organizations overseas, or United States Embassies and Consulates. Or, you can click here to download a non-postage paid application.

The FPCA should be filled out and sent to the appropriate Circuit Clerk in Mississippi by fax or mail. For a list of Circuit Clerks’ addresses and fax numbers, click here. Absentee ballots are available 45 days before the election. Upon receipt of your FPCA by your local Circuit Clerk, a ballot will be forwarded to you.