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Jackson, Miss.—As of noon today, more than 43,000 absentee ballots had been requested for the November 27 Runoff Election, which includes the U.S. Senate (Special), judicial, and other races.
Voters cast in-person absentee ballots today from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Circuit Clerk’s Offices across the State. Turnout was reportedly high in some counties, including Hinds County. The receipt (not postmark) deadline for mailed absentee ballots is 5 p.m. Monday, November 26, 2018.
Polls open for the November 27 Runoff Election at 7 a.m. Voters standing in line at 7 p.m., the time polls close, are entitled to cast a ballot.
The Secretary of State’s Office will have more than 30 observers in 64 counties across the State. Problems at the polls observed by State observers or otherwise reported to the Elections Division will be referred to the proper authorities, including county Election Commissioners, the Attorney General’s Office, or the appropriate District Attorney’s Office. The Secretary of State’s Office has no enforcement authority to resolve problems.
Other important information for Runoff Election Day includes:
· UOCAVA Voting: The deadline for UOCAVA voters, including service members deployed outside their county of residence, to return their absentee ballot is 7 p.m. on Runoff Election Day, Tuesday, November 27.
· Polling Place Location: A polling place locator and sample ballot is available on the Secretary of State’s website at http://www.sos.ms.gov/PollingPlace/Pages/default.aspx.
· 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. An affidavit ballot may be counted if the voter provides an acceptable form of photo identification to the Circuit Clerk’s Office within five business days after the election. For more information, visit www.msvoterID.ms.gov.
· Campaigning: It is unlawful to campaign for any candidate on the ballot 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.
· Text Messages: The Secretary of State’s Office has received multiple complaints from voters regarding text messages from campaigns and/or political parties. Voter phone numbers, if provided on voter registration forms or maintained on the voter roll, are not public information disseminated by the Secretary of State’s Office. Campaigns and political parties should instruct volunteers not to provide misleading information to voters regarding where voter phone numbers are obtained.
