Mississippi

Registered voters in Mississippi need to confirm their identity with a photo ID when they vote in person.

Most voters do not need a copy of their ID to vote by mail.

 

Mississippi ID Requirements for Voting In Person

ACCEPTABLE PHOTO ID

You can use one of the following IDs if they show your name and photo:

  • Driver’s license from any state
  • ID card issued by the US goverment or any state government
  • US. Passport or passport card
  • Employee ID card issued by the US government
  • Mississippi firearms license
  • Tribal ID
  • Military ID issued by the US government
  • Student ID issued by an accredited university, college, community or junior college in Mississippi
  • Mississippi Voter ID

You can use an ID that has been expired up to 10 years as long as it was issued by the US or a state government.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are a registered voter and do not have a photo ID that is acceptable for voting, you are eligible to receive a free photo ID from the state. You can get your Mississippi Voter ID card from your Circuit Clerk’s office.

To receive a free MS Voter ID card you must present one of the following documents:

  • An expired photo ID document with your name and photograph issued by the U.S. government or any U.S. state 
  • Birth certificate or any other document with your full legal name, date and place of birth 
  • Social Security card  
  • Medicare card
  • Mississippi Voter Registration Card 
  • Any of the following, as long as it includes the voter’s name and current address:  
    • Utility bill issued within the last six months  
    • Bank statement issued within the last six months  
    • Paycheck issued within the last six months 
  • Government check issued within the last six months  
  • IRS Form W-2, Wages and Tax Statement issued within the current calendar year  
  • Any other government document issued within the current calendar year

VoteRiders can help you apply for a free ID and secure any documents that you need. Get free help now!

If you are a registered voter but do not present an accepted photo ID at the polling place, you may cast an affidavit ballot. In order for your affidavit ballot to be counted, you must present an acceptable form of ID at the Circuit Clerk’s office within five business days after the election.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Mississippi.

Your driver’s license or state ID card will show a gold star if it meets REAL ID requirements under federal law.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

Yes, voters who have downloaded the state’s Mobile ID app on their Apple or Android smartphones can show their stored MS driver’s license or state-issued ID as an acceptable photo ID when voting in person.

Mississippi ID Requirements for Voting By Mail

Only certain voters are eligible to vote absentee in Mississippi.

You do not need a copy of your ID to vote by mail in Mississippi.

BUT: If it is your first time voting in a federal election in Mississippi, please see the federal ID requirements for first-time voters. A federal election is when you vote for the President, your Congressional Representative or your Senators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only certain voters are able to vote absentee in Mississippi .

To be qualified, you must be:

  • Member of the Armed Forces (or spouse or dependents)
  • Member of the Merchant Marine or the American Red Cross (or spouse or dependents)
  •  Disabled war veteran who is a patient in any hospital (or spouse or dependents)
  • Civilian attached to any branch of the Armed Forces, Merchant Marine, or American Red Cross and serving outside the United States (or spouse or dependents)
  • Temporarily residing outside the United States
  • Student, teacher, or administrator whose employment or studies necessitate their absence from county of voting residence (or spouse or dependents residing in the same household)
  • Outside your county of residence on Election Day
  • Temporarily or permanently physically disabled
  • Sixty-five (65) years of age or older
  • Parent, spouse, or dependent of a person having a temporary or permanent physical disability who is hospitalized outside their county of residence or 50+ miles away from his/her residence and you must be with that person on Election Day
    • You must be with that person on Election Day
  •  Member of the Mississippi Congressional delegation (or spouse or dependents)
  •  Required to be at work on Election Day during the times at which the polls will be open

No, you do not need to include ID with your ballot request.

BUT: If it is your first time voting in a federal election in Mississippi, please see the federal ID requirements for first-time voters. A federal election is when you vote for the President, your Congressional Representative or your Senators.

Absentee ballot applications must be notarized or sworn and subscribed to by an official authorized to witness absentee balloting. The applications of voters who have a temporary or permanent disability may instead be witnessed and signed by any adult.

No, but the signature on your absentee ballot must match your signature on file with the state.

If your absentee ballot is rejected because your signature on the absentee ballot does not match your signature on your voter registration record, election officials must notify you within one business day (either by mail, email, or fax) in order to give you an opportunity to correct it.

You will then have 10 calendar days after the election to submit a completed “Absentee Cure Form.” so your ballot can be counted.