What is Election Protection?
The right to vote, in conjunction with free and equal access to the polls, is the keystone of a true democracy. Understanding this, for nearly a decade One Voice has conducted an Election Protection program with the Mississippi State Conference NAACP to help safeguard poll access to all eligible Mississippians. Election Protection has taken up the task of educating voters on the election process as well as anticipating, identifying, and responding to voter irregularities as they arise on Election Day. The Election Protection program also stands firmly in support of the right of returning citizens to have full restoration of their voting rights. Mississippi is one of a handful of states that continues to deny voting privileges to returning citizens who have been convicted of certain felony crimes.
Absentee Ballots
“I will be out of town/I have to work on Election Day. Can I vote early?”
Yes. You can vote early using an absentee ballot, you must contact your County’s Circuit Clerk office to see if you are eligible to vote absentee. You can also vote early, in-person, at the Office of the Registrant in your county by 5:00 PM Saturday, October 31, 2020.
Affidavit Voting
“How will I know that my affidavit ballot was counted?”
The poll manager will give you the information on how to get access to the “free access system” to check to see if your vote was counted. If your vote was not counted, the “free access system” will explain why it was not.
“If I voted by affidavit in the wrong precinct or county, can I go vote in the correct precinct afterwards?”
No. You may only cast one vote during any election.
Campaigning
“How close to a polling place can people campaign?”
No campaign literature or signs may be posted or distributed within one hundred and fifty (150) feet of any entrance to a polling place.
“Can I wear a t-shirt with my candidate’s name/logo when I go vote?”
No. You are not allowed to wear a t-shirt with a candidate’s name/picture/logo within one hundred and fifty (150) feet of a polling place. Before coming within 150 feet of the polling place entrance, you may cover up your shirt, turn it inside out, or remove and replace your shirt.
“If my house is less than one hundred and fifty (150) feet away from a polling place, can I still display campaign signs?”
Yes. The owner of a private property may display campaign literature on that property.
Challenging Voters
“Who may challenge a voter?”
A candidate, a candidate’s official representative/poll watcher, a political party’s official poll watcher (not for primary), any qualified voter in the polling place, or any poll manager in the polling place may challenge a voter.
“What are the bases for a challenge?”
A voter can be challenged if the voter is not registered to vote in the precinct, is not registered under the same name, has already voted in the election, does not live in the precinct where registered, is illegally registered, has removed the ballot from the polling place, has cast an absentee ballot but was ineligible to do so, or is otherwise disqualified by law.
Conduct
“Is loitering allowed at the polling place?”
No. Loitering is not allowed within thirty (30) feet of any entrance to the polling place.
“What if a voter shows to up to vote drunk?”
All intoxicated or disorderly people who disturb the peace of the polling place by either noise or violence shall be arrested, jailed, or kept in custody. These individuals, if qualified to vote, will be allowed to vote while in custody.
Deadlines
“When are the deadlines to register by mail? In-person?”
The deadline to register by mail is that your ballot envelope must be postmarked no later than Monday, October 5, 2020. The deadline to register is person is Monday, October 5, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. inside the Office of the Registrar.
“What is the deadline to turn-in my absentee ballot?”
You must mail your ballot back by Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day to be considered timely.
Disability
“I want to register to vote but I am disabled/bedridden and unable to leave my house. What can I do?”
Call the voter registration office in your county and request that an employee from the office come to your residence to register you.
“I am blind/disabled, or I cannot read/write. Can I get assistance to cast my ballot?”
Yes. You may get a person of your choice (as long as you do not work for that person) to assist you in casting your vote.
“I want to vote but walking or standing is painful. Can I vote from my car?”
Yes. You have the right to vote without going inside the poll station. The poll workers can help anyone who needs assistance voting from the car.
“How do I get assistance to vote?”
To request assistance in voting, you must tell the manager you need help to mark the ballot, give an acceptable reason (blind, disabled, cannot read, or cannot write) as to why help is needed, and pick someone to help you.
“May a candidate help a voter with voting?”
Yes, a candidate may help a voter cast a ballot if that voter meets the criteria for assistance (blind, disabled, cannot read, or cannot write) and that voter has chosen the candidate to be of assistance.
Disputes
“Who handles disputes in the primary election?”
Disputes in primary elections are directed to the local party executive committee or election officials charged with the conduct of the primary election.
“Who handles disputes in the general election?”
Disputes during the general election are directed to the county Election Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
What are the basis for a challenge?
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.