Voting in Mississippi

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Voters can typically only vote absentee in Mississippi with an approved excuse. During COVID-19, physician-mandated quarantine is considered an approved excuse.

To request an absentee ballot in Mississippi, you must contact your circuit clerk’s office to request an absentee ballot application be mailed to you. All absentee ballot applications have to be signed by an official authorized to administer oath, such as a notary public, unless the voter is temporarily or permanently physically disabled. Temporary or permanently physically disabled voters may have the application witnessed by a person who is at least 18 years of age. Once you’ve completed your absentee ballot application, you must mail it back to your circuit clerk’s office.

To return your Mississippi absentee ballot, you must mail it back to your circuit clerk’s office. All Mississippi ballots received by voters via the mail must be returned by mail as well. All absentee ballot envelopes must be witnessed/signed by an official authorized to administer oath, such as a notary public, unless the voter is temporarily or permanently physically disabled. Temporary or permanently physically disabled voters can have the ballot envelope witnessed by a person who is at least 18 years of age.

Mississippi offers in-person absentee voting. Voters can only vote absentee-in-person with an approved excuse. Absentee-in-person voting begins 45 days before the election and ends at noon the Saturday before the election.

Mississippi has open primaries. Any registered voter can participate in primary elections, regardless of political party. 17-year-olds can vote in the primary election if they will be 18 by the corresponding general election.

Photo ID is required to vote in Mississippi. Valid forms of ID include:
- A driver's license
- A photo ID card issued by a branch, department, or entity of the State of Mississippi
- A United States passport
- A government employee ID card
- A firearms license
- A student photo ID issued by an accredited Mississippi university, college, or community/junior college
- A United States military ID
- A tribal photo ID
- Any other photo ID issued by any branch, department, agency or entity of the United States government or any State government
- A Mississippi Voter Identification Card

If you do not have an approved form of ID, you can get a free Mississippi Voter Identification Card at any circuit clerk’s office. If you go to your polling place without an approved form of ID, you will be able to cast a ballot by signing an affidavit. In order for your ballot to count, you will then need to bring an acceptable form of ID to the circuit or municipal clerk’s office within 5 business days.