Residents planning to vote in the November 3 elections have just one week remaining to register to vote or update an existing registration. Voter registrations must be completed by October 5 to be eligible to vote on this year’s ballot.
In addition to regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk’s office will be open 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, October 3, to allow those unable to find time during the week to come complete their voter registration information.
Voters can double check their existing registration and see if information needs to be changed by visiting sos.ms.gov/yall-vote.
This year’s ballot includes several local races as well as federal midterm elections. Voters will choose candidates running for U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives as the nation decides control of Congress in Washington D.C.
Locally, special elections for Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk and District 2 Justice Court Judge will be decided after vacancies in both positions opened earlier this year. Former Meridian Councilwoman Kim Houston and State Sen. Jeff Tate are competing for the Circuit Clerk position, while local Pastor LaBaron Hedgemon and Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Richardson run for the Justice Court seat.
Also running locally are Circuit Court Judges Robert ‘Bo’ Bailey and Charles W. Wright, Chancery Court Judges Amanda Trawick Rainey and Austin C. Terry, and County Court Judges Lisa Howell and Veldore Young Graham. All six judges are running unopposed.
Additionally, residents of Lauderdale County School Board District 5 will have the opportunity to select their representative on the district’s Board of Trustees. Running for the seat are Michael Wilson and Olivia Leann Vick.
Absentee voting for the November 3 election is also underway. Mississippi does not have early voting, but residents with eligible reasons why they cannot go to the polls on election day can vote via absentee ballot. Residents who will be out of town for work, school, caregiving and military service, as well as those 65 and older can visit the Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk’s office to vote absentee.