Voter Rights Facts: Mississippi

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In November 2011, Mississippi voters approved a constitutional amendment imposing strict voter ID requirements that would make it harder for many people to vote. However, these requirements will not be in effect for the 2012 elections because legislation to implement the new voter ID requirements must be passed and the Department of Justice must provide pre-clearance of the law. Here is what you need to know before voting in Mississippi in 2012:

VOTER REGISTRATION

Where can I register to vote?
You can register to vote at your circuit clerk's office, your municipal clerk's office, when you get your driver's license at the Department of Public Safety or through the mail by downloading a voter registration form from the secretary of state's website and mailing it to your circuit clerk. The form can be found online at www.sos.ms.gov/links/elections/voter_information_center/tab1/Voter_Registration.pdf.

To find your circuit clerk, also known as your voter registrar, visit http://www.sos.ms.gov/elections_voter_info_center_absentee.aspx or call the secretary of state's office at 1-800-829-6786.

What is the voter registration deadline?
For the Nov. 6 general election, the last day to register to vote in person at the circuit clerk's office is Saturday, Oct. 6. The circuit clerk's office must remain open that day from 8 a.m. until 12 noon for voter registration.

If you are mailing in your voter registration form, it must be postmarked no later than Oct. 7 to be accepted for the general election. PLEASE NOTE: This is a SUNDAY. Applicants should mail their forms no later than Oct. 6 to avoid missing this deadline.

VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS

Proving your identity when you register to vote:
On Mississippi's voter registration form, the state asks you to provide your driver's license number as proof of your identity. If you do not have a driver's license, the state asks you to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you do not have a driver's license or Social Security number, the state requires you to send, with your voter registration form, either (a) a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or (b) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address. If you do not provide the information requested above, you may be required to provide one of these forms of identification when you go to the polls or vote absentee.

You currently do not need to show photo ID at the polls.
In November 2011, Mississippi voters approved a constitutional amendment imposing strict voter ID requirements, but it is not yet in effect. It requires implementing legislation and pre-clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice. Until this happens, Mississippi does not require a photo ID at the polls. If you do not have a photo ID and you have the ability to get one, you may want to do so now to ensure you'll be able to vote in the future.

ABSENTEE VOTING

Eligible absentee voters include any of the following individuals who may not be present on Election Day:

• Any enlisted or commissioned members of the U.S. armed forces who are citizens of Mississippi.
• Any member of the Merchant Marine or American Red Cross who is a citizen of Mississippi.
• Any disabled war veteran who is a patient in any hospital and who is a citizen of Mississippi.
• Any civilian attached to and serving outside of the United States with any branch of the armed forces or with the Merchant Marine or American Red Cross, who is a citizen of Mississippi.
• Any citizen of Mississippi temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the United States.
• An employee engaged in interstate transportation required to be away from his or her county of residence on Election Day due to employment.
• A student, teacher or administrator required to be more than 50 miles away from the county of residence on Election Day due to employment.
• An employee engaged in offshore employment, or as an employee on a vessel or other watercraft.
• An employee, businessperson, professional, tradesman or worker being more than 50 miles away from the county of residence on Election Day due to employment.
• Anyone with a temporary or permanent physical disability.
• Anyone 65 years of age or older.
• A parent, spouse or dependent staying with a hospitalized person with a temporary or permanent disability and who is 50 miles or more away from his or her county of residence on Election Day.
• A member of a congressional delegation required to be more than 50 miles away from his or her county of residence on Election Day.

Where can I apply to vote absentee?
Absentee voting applications are not available online in Mississippi. Please contact your local circuit clerk's office for information about how to apply and any deadlines related to absentee voting. To find your circuit clerk, visit: www.sos.ms.gov/elections_voter_info_center_absentee.aspx or call the secretary of state's office at 1-800-829-6786.

When is the deadline to apply to vote absentee?
There is no official deadline, but you should contact your local circuit clerk's office for more information. To find your circuit clerk, visit www.sos.ms.gov/elections_voter_info_center_absentee.aspx or call the secretary of state's office at 1-800-829-6786.

When is the last day to vote absentee at my circuit clerk's office?
Saturday, Nov. 3, is the last day to vote by absentee ballot in the circuit clerk's office for the Nov. 6 general election. The clerk's office must remain open until noon on this day for voting.
If a runoff election is required, it will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 27. The last day to vote using an absentee ballot in the circuit clerk's office for that election will be Saturday, Nov. 24. The clerk's office must remain open until noon on this day for voting.

When is the last day to return an absentee ballot by mail?
Mailed absentee ballots must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, to be accepted for the Nov. 6 general election. If absentee ballots arrive late, but prior to 7 p.m. on Election Day, those ballots will be counted for the presidential race only. Please note, you will need to have your ballot notarized unless you are disabled, so plan accordingly.