DeSoto tops state in absentee balloting
Mississippi voters have until 12 noon on Saturday, Nov. 2 to cast an absentee ballot if they choose to vote ahead of the Nov. 5 Election Day.
Mississippians can vote at their respective county courthouse absentee if they are age 65 or older, or if they can provide a specific reason why they will not be able to vote in person at their polling place on Election Day. Mississippi accepts absentee ballots contrary to other states that offer early voting ahead of the actual vote.
Those specific reasons and more information items are listed on the Mississippi Secretary of State’s website.
Absentee ballots in DeSoto County are accepted at the DeSoto County Courthouse and the Circuit Clerk’s office by casting your vote in person during office hours. Voters can also call the Circuit Clerk’s office to request an absentee ballot by mail by calling 662-469-8007. You must meet the requirements to vote absentee by mail and those mailed ballots must be returned to the Circuit Clerk’s office within five business days of the election, or Nov. 13.
The Circuit Clerk’s office in Hernando will be open on Saturday mornings between 8 a.m.-12 noon for absentee balloting.
On Monday, Oct. 14, the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office reported that 60,057 absentee ballots had been requested, 57,920 absentee ballots were sent, and 42,102 absentee ballots received in the state of Mississippi for the general election. The requested total reflects the number of Mississippi voters who requested an absentee ballot through their local Circuit Clerk’s office. The sent total reflects the number of absentee ballots sent to voters from Circuit Clerk offices. The received total reflects the number of completed absentee ballots returned to Circuit Clerk offices.
In 6,089 absentee ballots have been requested and sent and 5,146 absentee ballots have been received and accepted. That is the highest number for any county in the state.
The Lewisburg precinct has had 454 absentee ballots requested and sent. Of that number, 392 have been received and returned, the highest numbers among precincts in DeSoto County.
The statewide report, including county numbers, is also available at the Mississippi Secretary of State’s website.
Polls on Election Day are open between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Election results will be available that evening on DeSoto County News.
