Special election runoffs are happening in some parts of Mississippi with voters in over a dozen counties asked to head to the polls on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
After a majority of 17 legislative seats on ballots this year were decided on Nov. 4, two state Senate seats remained without a clear-cut winner. In Senate District 24 – which encompasses parts of Leflore, Panola, and Tallahatchie counties – Curressia Brown and Justin Pope vie for the seat left vacant by the retiring David Jordan. In Senate District 26 – which includes parts of Hinds and Madison counties – Letitia Johnson and Kamesha Mumford square off to become the successor to now-Jackson Mayor John Horhn.
Plenty of hyperlocal elections are happening, too. Those include coroner, election commissioner, circuit clerk, school board, supervisor, and justice court judge in certain parts of the state.
Here’s what to know before going to the polls.
Who can vote?
Any registered voter who lives in an area where runoffs are happening can cast a ballot. In total, parts or all of 13 counties have races: Hinds, Lafayette, Lamar, Leflore, Lincoln, Madison, Marshall, Noxubee, Panola, Pearl River, Rankin, Tallahatchie, and Tippah.
The easiest way to find out if you have an election to vote in is by going to yallvote.ms, entering your address, and it should automatically populate with any election information. Sample ballots should be available there, as well.
What elections are happening?
The headliners are for open seats in Senate Districts 24 and 26.
In District 24, Curressia Brown and Justin Pope are facing off. Brown is a retired education administrator with over 30 years of experience, formerly serving as chair of the Mississippi Valley State University Department of Business Administration. Her platform is centered on Medicaid expansion and reducing poverty through legislative efforts. Pope is a corporate deputy with Progressive Health Group, a company focused on rejuvenating rural hospitals. His platform is also focused on improving healthcare and access to it, along with strengthening the public education system and creating economic growth.
In District 26, Letitia Johnson and Kamesha Mumford are facing off. Johnson is an attorney and former president of the Jackson Public School Board of Trustees. Her platform includes teacher pay raises, crime prevention, and fully eliminating the state’s tax on groceries. Mumford is an attorney and municipal court judge. Her platform has been presented in the form of an acronym, P.R.E.S.S., which stands for protecting the state’s retirement system, restoring infrastructure while creating economic opportunities, eliminating blight, strengthening the public education system, and securing neighborhoods through additional public safety efforts.
The hyperlocal elections are just as important, though, and include: Hinds County coroner, Lafayette County District 2 election commissioner, Lamar-Pearl River County School Board District C member, Lincoln County circuit clerk, Marshall County District 1 and 3 supervisors, Noxubee County District 5 election commissioner, Noxubee County sheriff, Noxubee County coroner, Rankin County District 3 Justice Court judge, Rankin County District 2 supervisor, and Tippah County District 2 supervisor.
FULL LIST: Candidates for Dec. 2 runoffs in Mississippi
When are the polls open?
Polls are open Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Secretary of State Michael Watson, whose office manages elections, reminds eligible voters that anyone in line before 7 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot. Polling locations can be verified here.
What should you bring to the polls?
Eligible voters should bring a photo ID to their polling location. Voters without an acceptable form of photo identification are entitled to cast an affidavit ballot. However, Watson urges people to check for an ID before heading to the polls, so they won’t have to go through the affidavit process. A list of acceptable photo IDs can be found here. Voters who end up casting an affidavit ballot will be required to present an acceptable form of photo ID to their clerk’s office in the days after the election for their ballots to be counted.
What should you not bring to the polls?
While cell phones are allowed inside polling locations, Mississippi law does not allow people to take a photo of any marked ballot. Watson reminds people that campaigning within 150 feet of polling locations entrances, unless private property, is unlawful.
Is it too late to vote absentee?
The final day to vote absentee in person was Saturday, Nov. 29. For those voting absentee by mail, ballots must be postmarked on or by the election date of Dec. 2.
What if I have questions about the voting process?
Residents can receive personalized election information at yallvote.ms, an online resource provided by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office. The office also recently launched a platform for voters to access important election information and report issues through text message. Questions on the voting process can be directed to ElectionAnswers@sos.ms.gov or by calling 1-800-829-6786.