Be Prepared to Vote
Voter
Resources
Everything you need to make your voice heard on November 3, 2026. Registration, absentee voting, ID requirements, and polling locations — all in one place.
Registration Deadline: October 5, 2026
Register at least 30 days before Election Day
Election Day: November 3, 2026
Polls open 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Key Dates to Remember
Mark these dates on your calendar. Every deadline matters.
September 19, 2026
Absentee Voting Begins
In-person absentee voting opens at your County Circuit Clerk's office (45 days before Election Day)
October 5, 2026
Voter Registration Deadline
Register at least 30 days before Election Day — by mail or in person
October 31, 2026
In-Person Absentee Voting Ends
Last day at your Circuit Clerk's office (Saturday before Election Day, by noon)
November 3, 2026
Election Day
Polls open 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM. If you're in line by 7 PM, you vote.
Step One
Register to Vote
You must be registered at least 30 days before the election. The deadline for the November 3, 2026 election is October 5, 2026.
Mississippi does not currently offer online voter registration for new voters. You can register in person at your County Circuit Clerk's office or any Department of Public Safety location, or by mail using the official application form.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a resident of Mississippi and your county for at least 30 days
- Be at least 18 years old by Election Day
- Not have been convicted of certain disenfranchising felonies (unless pardoned or rights restored)
Ready to Register?
Use the official Mississippi Secretary of State resources to get registered, check your registration status, or download a mail-in registration form.
Links go to the official Mississippi Secretary of State website.
Step Two
Can't Vote on Election Day?
Mississippi does not have traditional “early voting,” but you may be eligible to vote absentee — either in person at your Circuit Clerk's office or by mail. Here's how it works.
Who Qualifies for Absentee Voting?
You may vote absentee if any of the following apply to you:
You will be away from your county on Election Day for any reason
You are required to be at work during the entire time polls are open
You are 65 years of age or older
You have a temporary or permanent physical disability
You are a student or teacher whose duties require absence from your county
You are a caregiver for a hospitalized person more than 50 miles away
How to Vote Absentee — Step by Step
Confirm Your Eligibility
Mississippi requires a qualifying reason to vote absentee. Review the list above to confirm you qualify.
Visit or Contact Your Circuit Clerk
For in-person absentee voting, visit your County Circuit Clerk's office Monday–Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM, starting September 19, 2026. For mail-in absentee, request an application from your Clerk.
Cast Your Ballot
In-person: vote at the Clerk's office. By mail: complete your ballot, mail it back (must be postmarked on or before Election Day), and it must be received within 5 business days after the election.
Official Mississippi Secretary of State absentee voting page
Step Three
Find Your Polling Place
Know where to go before Election Day. Mississippi's official tools let you look up your assigned polling location, preview your sample ballot, and verify your registration — all in one place.
Have questions? Call the Elections Answerline:
1-800-829-6786
or email ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov
What to Bring
Voter ID Requirements
Mississippi requires a valid photo ID to vote in person. Your photo ID may be expired up to 10 years and still be accepted. If you don't have any form of accepted photo ID, you can get a free Mississippi Voter ID Card from your County Circuit Clerk's office.
Don't have an ID on Election Day? You can still cast an affidavit (provisional) ballot. You'll then have 5 business days to present a valid photo ID to your Circuit Clerk's office for your vote to count.
Accepted Forms of Photo ID
Mississippi driver's license (including Digital ID)
Driver's license from any U.S. state
U.S. passport or passport card
Government employee ID card
Student photo ID from an accredited Mississippi college or university
U.S. military ID
Mississippi firearms license
Tribal photo ID
Free Mississippi Voter ID Card (available from your Circuit Clerk)
Your County Clerk's Office
Your Circuit Clerk handles voter registration, absentee ballot requests, and polling location information. Contact them directly for any voting questions.
Madison County
County Seat: Canton, MS
Office of the Circuit Clerk
128 W. North St., Canton, MS 39046
Leake County
County Seat: Carthage, MS
Office of the Circuit Clerk
Courthouse Square, Carthage, MS 39051
Your Vote. Your Court. Your Future.
Register today. Mark November 3rd. And help us spread the word across Leake and Madison counties.