Do’s and Don’ts for Mississippi’s municipal runoffs

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - Voters in some municipalities in Mississippi have runoff elections Tuesday. Polls are open until 7 p.m. Any voter in line at 7 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot.

There are some things that are not allowed at or near polling locations. Newscenter 11 spoke with Meridian city clerk, Brandye Latimer, who emphasizes that you’re not allowed to take pictures of your ballot. This is to help protect voters’ privacy. You also can’t wear anything that has a current candidate’s name or likeness. Campaigning within 150 feet of the polls is prohibited.

Latimer encourages you to ask questions if you need to, wear a face mask and know which precinct is yours.
“Any mail-in absentee ballots have to be postmarked by Tuesday (Apr. 27). If you have your absentee ballots, you should fill them out and send them as soon as possible,” said Latimer. “If you are 65 and older or out of town requesting a ballot, it needs to be notarized. If you are physically disabled, then you have to have your envelope witnessed.” If you are registered to vote but did not vote in the first primary Apr. 6, you may still participate in the Apr. 27 runoff. Meridian voters need to refer to their voter registration card for their correct city precinct location as it could be different from your county location. Questions for Meridian elections should go to the city at 601-485-1946. You do not have to have your voter registration card with you to vote, but it helps you with the correct location as well as helps poll workers locate your name in the registration list. Remember, write-in votes are not valid in Mississippi.

Latimer encourages you to ask questions if you need to, wear a face mask and know which precinct is yours.

“Any mail-in absentee ballots have to be postmarked by Tuesday (Apr. 27). If you have your absentee ballots, you should fill them out and send them as soon as possible,” said Latimer. “If you are 65 and older or out of town requesting a ballot, it needs to be notarized. If you are physically disabled, then you have to have your envelope witnessed.”
If you are registered to vote but did not vote in the first primary Apr. 6, you may still participate in the Apr. 27 runoff.
Meridian voters need to refer to their voter registration card for their correct city precinct location as it could be different from your county location. Questions for Meridian elections should go to the city at 601-485-1946.
You do not have to have your voter registration card with you to vote, but it helps you with the correct location as well as helps poll workers locate your name in the registration list.
Remember, write-in votes are not valid in Mississippi.

The Mississippi Secretary of State also reminds voters they must show an approved photo ID at their voting precinct.
Photo ID: 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 Municipal Clerk’s Office within five business days after the election. 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. For more information about Municipal Primary Election Day, please contact your local Municipal Clerk’s Office or call the secretary of state’s Elections Hotline at 601-576-2550 or 1-800-829-6786.

The Mississippi Secretary of State also reminds voters they must show an approved photo ID at their voting precinct.

Photo ID: 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 Municipal Clerk’s Office within five business days after the election.

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.

For more information about Municipal Primary Election Day, please contact your local Municipal Clerk’s Office or call the secretary of state’s Elections Hotline at 601-576-2550 or 1-800-829-6786.