Voter Registration in Mississippi
Voter registration is required by law in the state of Mississippi in order to cast a ballot in any election held in the state. The reasons for making sure those wishing to participate in an election register to vote is to safeguard the integrity of the election process by ensuring only those who are eligible to cast votes do so. Only legal residents of the United States and the state of Mississippi may cast their votes in Mississippi elections.
Mississippi rules for registering to vote include requirements for each individual that include several factors including the place of legal residence and citizenship status as well as things like age and criminal records. Registering to vote can happen in different ways depending on a particular individual’s set of circumstances. Mississippians may also take care of registration when conducting a drivers license transaction as well. Continue reading the article below to find out more about voter registration in Mississippi.
Who can register to vote in Mississippi?
Mississippi voter registration requires that each individual wishing to cast a ballot in any election held within the state meet the legal qualifications for being eligible to do so. These criteria for participation in an election include the following:
- Citizenship – All Mississippians who intend on voting in an election must be legal citizens of the United States.
- Age – All potential voters are required to have attained the age of 18 by the time election day arrives.
- Residency – Legal residence in the state of Mississippi must be established no less than 30 days prior to the election in which the voter intends to cast a ballot.
- Competency – A potential voter may not be or have been declared mentally incompetent by a court of law.
- Criminal record – Voters in Mississippi may not cast a ballot in any election if they have been convicted of certain types of felony crimes.
In order to cast your ballot in Mississippi, you will be required to show proof of your identification with a photo ID card prior to voting.
Mississippi Voter Registration Deadline
Mississippi imposes a deadline on registration in order to take part in an election. Registering to vote must take place no less than 30 days prior to election day in order to be eligible to cast a ballot.
For those who mail their registrations in, the application must be postmarked no less than 30 days before the election is to take place. You may verify whether or not you have registered by the deadline by contacting your local county registrar’s office.
How to Register to Vote in Mississippi
You can register to vote in Mississippi either in person or by mail. In either case, you must have a completed Mississippi voter registration application form. Once complete, you may either mail it or deliver it in person to the nearest local county circuit court clerk or an office location for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Mississippians who do not have a driver’s license and are seeking to register to vote for the first time and are submitting their applications by regular mail must be sure to include a copy of a valid and current form of photo identification as well as a copy of a utility bill, bank statement or pay stub. To complete your voter registration by regular mail, you can download and print out the application form and fill it out. Once your voter registration application is submitted and processed, you will receive your voter registration card through the mail.
Early Voting in Mississippi
Mississippi does not permit early voting.
Mississippi Voter Registration for Active Duty Military and Out-Of-State Residents
Knowing how to register to vote if you live outside of Mississippi but still consider yourself a resident of Mississippi requires a different process. You may still be eligible to cast ballots in the state’s elections. Those eligible are typically serving in the United States Armed Forces or are U.S. citizens living overseas.
In order to participate in Mississippi elections under these circumstances, voters must submit their voter registrations through the Federal Voting Assistance Program using a Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). You must submit a new FPCA each year you are outside of the state to your local court clerk. Spouses and dependents of military and overseas Mississippians may also use the FPCA to register as well.
Mississippi Voter Registration for Absentee Voting
Other out-of-state residents of Mississippi who are neither members of the military nor living overseas may still be eligible to register to vote in Mississippi. Simply register according to standard procedures and contact your local circuit or municipal court clerk about obtaining an absentee ballot.
How to Change Your Voter Registration in Mississippi
To change voter registration address information, you are required to resubmit your Mississippi voter registration application with your county circuit court clerk. Those serving in the military or living overseas can change their address using the FVAP.
In order to update other data on your voter profile, such as your name, you may use a voter registration application form. You may also update such information at your polling station on election day provided you furnish the proper identification along with supporting documentation to prove your residency.