Mississippi voter registration deadlines

The start of Mississippi's statewide elections is near, with party primaries on Aug. 6.

Expiring final terms for Governor Phil Bryant and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, coupled with competitive party primaries and a field of candidates for Mississippi’s legislative seats , means the state will see plenty of politicking ahead of the 2020 election cycle.

Here are the voter deadlines for the 2019 election season.

July 29

Voters who miss the deadline for Mississippi's primary elections can still vote in primary runoffs if they register by this date.

August 6

Primary Elections take place today

August 27

Any primary runoffs will occur on this date

October 7

Register by this date to vote in the state's General Election.

Absentee ballots

Registered voters should contact their local circuit or municipal clerk to confirm if they’re eligible to vote by absentee ballot.

In-person absentee voting for the party primaries concludes on Saturday, August 3. Circuit Clerk’s Offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ballots which are mailed must be received by 5 p.m. Monday, August 5. This is an actual receipt deadline, not a postmark deadline.

Although there's flexibility with absentee ballots, it's important to remember this process has separate deadlines. In-person absentee ballot voting is already underway.

The Mississippi Secretary of State Office explains:

"If you know you will vote by an absentee ballot, you may contact Circuit or Municipal Clerk's Office at any time within 45 days of the election."

Voters can request a ballot any time up until absentee voting concludes (though voters should be cognizant of the deadlines to avoid requesting too late). Absentee applications for the general election in November will become available on October 6. Ballots will be available by the UOCAVA deadline: September 21. The sample ballot will be available online September 11.

Voters covered under a law allowing members of the military and citizens abroad to participate in elections can register through a Federal Post Card Application up until 10 days before the date of an election. These ballots can be mailed, emailed or faxed.

More information can be found at www.yallvote.sos.ms.gov. You can also call the Secretary of State's Election at 1-800-829-6786 for more assistance.

Some of the approved reasons for absentee ballot:

❚ Temporary or permanent physical disability ❚ Age: 65-year-old or older qualify ❚ Student, teachers or administrators whose studies or employment keeps them away from their home county on Election Day.

Contact Bracey Harris at 601-9617248 or bharris2@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter.

Expiring final terms for Governor Phil Bryant and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves means the state will see plenty of politicking ahead of the 2020 election cycle.

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