South Mississippians will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, for a ballot that includes a U.S. Senate seat, a House seat and several local contests.
Key points
- Mississippi voters must bring a photo ID or be prepared to use an affidavit ballot.
- Federal contests are decided by the highest vote total; no runoff will occur for Senate or House seats.
- Absentee ballot participation is high, with over 116,000 ballots already received.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, and any voter still in line at the closing time is entitled to cast a ballot, according to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office.
The Statewide Election Management System reported that, as of Monday, 123,040 absentee ballots were requested, 122,590 were mailed out and 116,453 have been returned for the general election.
Polling Hours and Locations
Mississippi law requires voters to present a photo identification at the polling place; voters without an acceptable ID may complete an affidavit ballot, as outlined on the Secretary of State’s website.
The ballot features a U.S. Senate race, the U.S. House seat for the 4th Congressional District, chancery and circuit court judges, county school‑board seats, a new sheriff for Hancock County, and referendums on alcoholic liquor sales in Pearl River County, beer and wine sales, and a Bay‑Waveland School District bond in Hancock County. Federal races are decided by a plurality—no runoff is held—while judicial contests require a majority, with a possible runoff slated for Dec. 1 if no candidate reaches 50 % + 1 vote.
Absentee Ballot Statistics
Campaigning, loitering and apparel bearing candidate names or images are prohibited within 150 feet of any polling‑place entrance (and within 30 feet for loitering). Voters who encounter problems are instructed to contact their circuit clerk, county election commission, or the Secretary of State’s office.
Reader questions
What forms of photo ID are accepted at Mississippi polling places?
Any government‑issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID or passport, satisfies the requirement; voters lacking such ID may request an affidavit ballot.
How can I find my designated polling location?
Enter your home address into the Polling Place Locator on the WLOX website; the tool will suggest the correct precinct.
If a judicial race doesn’t produce a majority winner, when is the runoff?
A runoff for any judicial contest without a 50 % + 1 vote is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Source: wlox.com
