DeSoto County Leads Mississippi in Absentee Ballots Cast
More voters in DeSoto County have requested and returned DeSoto County absentee ballots than in any other county in Mississippi ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, according to the latest report from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.
The state’s Oct. 26 absentee report shows 5,074 DeSoto County voters on the absentee list, and 4,588 ballots already received by the circuit clerk’s office. That puts DeSoto ahead of Hinds County (4,916 absentee voters) and Harrison County (4,674), which ranked second and third.
DeSoto County Absentee Ballots by the Numbers
- Absentee voters as of Oct. 26: 5,074
- Ballots sent: 5,074
- Ballots received and accepted: 4,588
- Ballots rejected: 0
- Ballots not yet returned: 486
Absentee activity in the county picked up fast in a week. The state’s Oct. 19 report listed 3,008 DeSoto County absentee voters and 2,664 returned ballots, so about 2,000 more voters joined the absentee list in seven days.
Statewide, the Secretary of State’s Office counted 64,537 absentee voters and 56,049 ballots received as of Oct. 26.
Last Chance to Vote Absentee In Person
Saturday, Oct. 31, is the last day to vote absentee in person. According to the county’s elections page, in-person absentee voting takes place at the DeSoto County Circuit Clerk’s Office in the historic courthouse, 2535 Highway 51 South in Hernando. Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to noon, and the deadline is 12 p.m. Weekday hours through Friday are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 3, and received by the circuit clerk’s office by Nov. 10.
What to Know Before Election Day
The Secretary of State’s Office issued these Election Day reminders for Tuesday, Nov. 3:
- Polling hours: Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. may still vote.
- Photo ID: Mississippi requires an acceptable photo ID to vote. Voters without one can cast an affidavit ballot, but must show an acceptable ID at the circuit clerk’s office by Nov. 10 for it to count.
- Campaigning: Campaigning is not allowed within 150 feet of a polling place entrance, except on private property.
- Ballot photos: Voters may not photograph a marked ballot.
- Reporting problems: Report concerns at the polls to the Attorney General’s Office or the district attorney’s office. The Secretary of State’s Elections Division can be reached at 1-800-829-6786.
DeSoto County voters can find their polling place and sample ballot with the “Check Voting Location & Ballot” tool on the county’s elections page, or by calling the circuit clerk’s office at 662-469-8007.
What’s on the Ballot
DeSoto County voters will choose a U.S. senator from incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, Democrat Scott Colom and independent Ty Pinkins. In the 1st Congressional District, Republican incumbent Trent Kelly faces Democrat Cliff Johnson and Libertarian Johnny Baucom. Several nonpartisan judicial seats are also on the ballot.
Related: DeSoto County Judicial Races on the Nov. 3 Ballot: Who’s Running · Absentee voting available Saturdays at DeSoto County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Source: Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office
