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Here’s what you should know for Mississippi’s primary on March 12

By Kristopher White Mar 11, 2024 | 10:18 AM

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippi’s Presidential Primary Election Day will be on Tuesday, March 12. The ballot includes offices of President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. Representative.

To familiarize yourself with the upcoming election, visit the My Election Day portal to receive election information tailored to your specific address.

Polls for the Primary Election will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Any voter in line at 7:00 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot. 

Problems at the polls observed by State observers or otherwise reported to the Elections Division will be referred to the authorities, including the Attorney General’s Office or the appropriate District Attorney’s Office.

Election Day Reminders:

  • In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline: The last day to absentee vote in-person was Saturday, March 9. 
  • Mail-In Absentee Voting Deadline: All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by March 12 (Election Day) and received by county circuit clerk offices by March 19. 
  • Voter ID Affidavit Ballot Deadline: Voters who cast an affidavit ballot by reason of voter ID must present an acceptable form of photo ID to their Circuit Clerk’s Office by March 19.
  • Polling Place Location: Visit the polling place locator on the My Election Day portal, or contact your county Circuit Clerk’s Office or local Election Commissioners to verify your polling place.
  • Voter Photo ID: Voters are required to show photo identification at the polls.  A voter without an acceptable form of photo identification is entitled to cast an affidavit ballot.
  • Campaigning: It is unlawful to campaign for any candidate within 150 feet of any entrance to a polling place, unless on private property. 
  • Loitering: The polling places should be clear for 30 feet from every entrance of all people except elections officials, voters waiting to vote, or authorized poll watchers.
  • Camera Phones: Voters are prohibited from taking pictures of their marked ballot.

Election Results:

  • The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office will not announce unofficial election results. They will only announce and post certified election results submitted to the office by the counties.
  • Political parties have 10 calendar days from Election Day to file certified results with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.
  • All certified election results from the 2024 Election Cycle will be available online.
  • Counties may announce unofficial totals as the results come in from each precinct on Election Day and as absentee ballots are tallied on Election Night. While these results are generally reliable, it is important to remember any results reported the night of the election are not considered official, certified election results.

For elections questions, call the Elections Division at (800) 829-6786, email ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov, or visit YallVote.ms.