Ahead of a pair of judicial runoffs set to take place two days before Thanksgiving, Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson is reminding eligible voters that circuit clerk offices will soon be open to those who need to vote absentee.
“I encourage everyone to start paying more attention and making sure if they’re going to be away on Election Day, they have plans to vote absentee,” Watson said, adding voters who meet certain qualifications can cast absentee ballots in person or by mail.
With the Nov. 26 runoffs so close to the holiday, many people who are planning to be out of town will be eligible to vote absentee. According to the secretary of state’s website, “any qualified elector who is away from his or her county of residence on election day for any reason” is eligible to vote absentee.
RELATED: What to know about Mississippi’s upcoming judicial runoffs
Beginning Saturday, Nov. 16, and running through Saturday, Nov. 23, circuit clerk offices will be open across the state for in-person absentee voters. Saturday hours are from 8 a.m. to noon while business day hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To locate your circuit clerk’s office, click here.
Watson also went to social media on Friday morning, further pleading with voters to get their ballots in as runoffs typically see a lower turnout.
Get ready to go vote again, MS. Sadly, turnout is expected to be low, so please make your plans now to go vote! https://t.co/8tPyxKpRHU
— Secretary Michael Watson (@MichaelWatsonMS) November 15, 2024
While not all of Mississippi will have a runoff election, voters in 33 counties are being asked to return to the ballot boxes. In the central part of the state, state Sen. Jenifer Branning is looking to unseat Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Jim Kitchens. In a portion of southern Mississippi powered by the Gulf Coast, Amy St. Pe’ and Jennifer Schloegel will vie for an open seat on the Court of Appeals.