How to vote absentee ahead of Nov. 5

As of Oct. 28, the Mississippi Sec. of State’s Office has reported 119,818 absentee ballots being received by circuit clerk offices throughout the state.

That figure is more than double the number of ballots received during the statewide elections last year, when only about 56,403 absentee ballots were received.

However, the total number of absentee ballots falls to about half the number received during the 2020 presidential election, which took place during the Covid-19 pandemic. There were 231,031 absentee ballots received in that race as of Election Day.

That year saw Democrat Joe Biden beat out Republican incumbent Donald Trump, and the race also saw a record number of votes in Mississippi because of the pandemic, causing more people to vote absentee.

Who is running for election in MS: Mississippi voter guide. See who is running

How to vote absentee in Mississippi

In Mississippi, people can vote absentee in-person for several qualifying reasons, such as working for a government or public office requiring time away from your home county, being a teacher or student who is not in their home county or if a voter is not in their home county on election day for any reason.

All absentee voters doing so in person must vote at the county circuit clerk’s office. The deadline for voting absentee in-person is Nov. 2.

Mississippi is one of three states not to allow early in-person voting.  

More: Mississippi political parties organizing hundreds of poll watchers for Nov. 5. See why

How to vote via mail in Mississippi

As for mail-in absentee ballots, voters can request them if they are temporarily living outside their home county, anyone who has a permanent or temporary disability that prevents them easily and comfortably accessing the polls, incarcerated people, the parent, spouse or dependent of someone with a disability who resides outside the county or 50 miles from their listed residence, as well as people over the age of 65.

For those wanting to vote via mail, absentee ballots became available on Sept. 23, and voters need to contact their county circuit clerk’s office to see if they qualify for a mail-in ballot. If they do, the voter will be mailed an application that needs to be filled out and signed by a witness.

A witness must be someone who can administer oath, such as a notary public, or if the voter is temporarily or permanently disabled, someone at least 18 years old can sign as a witness.

Once the application is completed and signed, the voter needs to mail it back to the circuit clerk and then a mail-in ballot will be sent back. More instructions on mail-in voting can be found at the Secretary of State’s Office website.

Mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by election day to be counted. Mail-in ballots can be counted at the polls for five days following election night.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

A visit from 2-6 UMass could not possibly come at a better time for Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs are physically and mentally spent, riding a seven-game losing streak that hit a new low with last week’s 58-25 loss to Arkansas.

So, hosting the Minutemen in Starkville presents all kinds of opportunities for Jeff Lebby & Co., such as getting reps for the young kids, opening up more of the playbook for QB Michael Van Buren … and, yes, experiencing winning for the first time since the opener.

Either Mississippi State or UMass is grabbing its first FBS win of 2024 this weekend. Here are 5 other storylines to watch in Week 10 of the SEC.

The Tigers are coming off their best game, beating Kentucky behind the running of Jarquez Hunter. Now, they host Vanderbilt which could be subdued after losing a close one to Texas. With Louisiana-Monroe in the on-deck circle, Auburn can claw back to .500 if it first handles business Saturday.

Arkansas’ young QB is coming his most prolific game of the year, accounting for six TDs last weekend. But that was Mississippi State and this is Ole Miss, which allows just 11 points per game and is getting outstanding play from DT Walter Nolen and LB Chris Paul Jr.

The 6-1 Vols are positioned for a playoff berth, despite averaging just 21 points in four SEC games. Tennessee is winning with defense and the running of Dylan Sampson. Coming out of a bye, has Josh Heupel figured out how to unlock Nico Iamaleava’s potential in time for this week’s Kentucky game?

Florida, and head coach Billy Napier more specifically, has a massive opportunity to use the annual game with Georgia as a turning point of the season. An upset is not as far-fetched as it seems. DJ Lagway and the Gators have won three of their last four, only losing by six at Tennessee, and the Dawgs have had uncharacteristic bouts of vulnerability this fall.

One week after rallying to beat LSU in a home thriller, Texas A&M travels to South Carolina for a night game. Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer is developing a reputation for delivering in these spots. Subplot: Does Mike Elko start Conner Weigman or last week’s hero, Marcel Reed, for this road test?

ESPN Analyst Boldly Compares Mississippi State QB to Heisman Trophy Favorite

UMass Brings Bottom-10 Ranking to Starkville: 5 Key Stats About the Minutemen