Election Day is less than two months away, and the Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk’s office and Election Commission are ready for absentee voting to kick off Monday, Sept. 21. Voters who will be unable to get to the polls due to work, medical procedures or other conflicts can absentee vote to cast their vote ahead of time.
Mississippi does not allow no-excuse absentee voting, and residents must have a valid reason why they need to vote in advance. Eligible reasons include having a physical disability, having to work during voting hours on Election Day or being outside the county for work, school or military service on Election Day.
Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk Renee Covert said absentee voting will be open during regular office hours starting Monday, and residents needing to vote absentee can come by and cast their ballot. Additionally, the office will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 24, and again on Saturday, Oct. 31, to give residents a chance to vote absentee outside of regular working hours.
The Circuit Clerk’s office will also be open Saturday, Oct. 3, from 8 a.m. to noon for those needing to register to vote. Voter registration is also available during regular business hours. The deadline to register and be eligible to vote in the November 3 election is Monday, Oct. 5.
Contested races on this year’s ballot include one of Mississippi’s U.S. Senate seats, U.S. House of Representatives, Lauderdale County School Board District 5 and special elections for Circuit Clerk and Justice Court Judge District 2.
In the Circuit Clerk race, State Sen. Jeff Tate, who previously served as a county election commissioner, is running against former Meridian City Councilwoman Kim Houston, while Kevin Richardson and LaBaron Hedgemon are running for Justice Court Judge District 2.
Only residents living in Lauderdale County School Board District 5 will see that race included on the ballot, which includes Olivia Leann Vick and incumbent Michael Wilson.
In federal races, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is running for another term in office against challengers Scott Colom and Ty Pinkins, and Rep. Michael Guest is defending his seat against Michael Chiaradio and Erik Kiehl.
Also on the ballot, Circuit Court Judges Charles W. Wright and Robert ‘Bo’ Bailey, Chancery Court Judges Austin C. Terry and Amanda Trawick Rainey and County Court Judges Lisa Howell and Veldore Young Graham are all running unopposed for reelection.