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Voting FAQ
See Also: Know Your Voting Rights.
What You Need to Know to Vote
(and, thus, earn respect and make a difference in the damn world)
Whether you’re a first-time voter or you’ve voted in every election since 1940, you might have a question or two about voting. With a little help from the League of Women Voters of Mississippi Web site, we’ve put together a few questions and answers to give you a hand.
Where do I register to vote?
You may register to vote by mail, or visiting your county Circuit Court (usually in the county courthouse) or Municipal Court (usually in City Hall), or when applying for or renewing your driver’s license. For Hinds County, go downtown to the Hinds County Courthouse on Pascagoula St. Once you are registered to vote you remain registered indefinitely unless you are convicted of certain felonies. If you move, you must contact the county Circuit Court to update your address so that you can vote in your new precinct.
Am I eligible to vote?
Voters in the Mississippi must be 18 years old on or before Election Day, U.S. citizens and registered to vote in their county of residence at least 30 days before the election. If you have been convicted of certain felonies—murder, arson, armed robbery, rape, etc.--or have been declared mentally incompetent by a court, you may be ineligible.
When is Election Day and what time should I vote?
In 2008, the General Election is Tues., Nov. 4. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. If you are in line at your polling place at 7 p.m., you must be allowed to vote. To avoid lines, go during off hours, 10-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.
Where do I vote?
Your voter registration card shows your precinct number and an address for voting. If you’ve misplaced your card, ask a neighbor, or go to Vote 411 and click on Polling Place Locator. You can also call the clerk’s office in your city or county: in the city of Jackson, call 601-968-1035; in Hinds County, (601) 968-6628; in Madison County, (601)-859-4365; in Rankin County, 601-825-1466.
Do I have to vote in the county where I’m registered to vote on Election Day?
Yes, but most people who can’t get to their home county can vote by absentee ballot. If you qualify to vote by absentee ballot, the Circuit Courts Office must receive your mailed ballot by Mon., Nov. 3, for the general election. Absentee ballots can be completed in your home Circuit Courts office no later than noon on Sat., Nov. 1, for general elections. The rules for absentee voting are lengthy, so check with your county voter registrar for more information.
Do I need my voter registration card or other I.D. to vote?
If you registered by mail since the last election, be prepared to show identification with your name and address. This could be your Mississippi driver’s license, a utility bill, a paycheck, bank statement or other government document. Of course, it’s never a bad idea to have I.D. of this type on you, regardless.
Do I have to vote in every race on the ballot?
No. Your vote for each candidate will be counted independently.
What if I have a problem or question at the polls?
If you need help, ask for the poll manager. If that person can’t resolve your issue, call the League of Women Voters hotline at 601-355-7495 or the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office election hotline at 800-829-6786.
Is there any way to preview the new touch-screen voting machines?
Yes. Go to the Touch and Vote Web site for an interactive demonstration.
I’m disabled. Can I get assistance voting?
Yes. You can register for the voter-disabled list and you will automatically receive an absentee ballot. If you’re not on the list and can’t get into the polling place, you have the right to vote at curbside with the assistance of the election manager. Also, some voting machines provide assistance to blind and visually impaired people. You can also ask for assistance if you cannot read or write. See the League of Women Voters Web site for more information.
Where can I get a sample ballot?
Go to the League of Women Voters Web site or contact your county circuit clerk. You can take your sample ballot with you to the polls, but you must keep it in your pocket until you enter the voting booth.
Where can I get information about the candidates?
Read and ask questions. Read the papers, read the candidates’ Web site, if they have one, read their election materials, go hear their speeches and ask them questions. And visit the Jackson Free Press Politics Blog and State Desk Web sites for full transcripts of interviews of many of the candidates.
-past 2007 Primary information.-
Do I need to be a registered Democrat (or Republican) to vote in a primary?
No. In primaries, a voter can only vote in one primary, but party affiliation is not a criterion; registered Democrats can vote in a Republican primary, or vice-versa. Independents can vote in either primary. A vote in a primary does not affect your party affiliation.
Can I vote for candidates of different parties in the primaries?
No. You have to choose either Democrat or Republican for the primaries. If primary run-offs become necessary, you can only vote along the same party line that you chose for the initial primary. In the November general election, you can cross party lines to vote for candidates from any party.
Primary Election Day is Tues., Aug. 7, and absentee Mon., Aug. 6, and mailed Sat., Aug. 4, for primaries, and
