As election season approaches, confusion about Mississippi’s voting laws is easy to find — especially online. Social media posts, group chats and well-meaning conversations often include misinformation about who can vote, how to register and what’s allowed at the polls.
The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s “What Is True?” team reviewed some of the most common claims about voting in Mississippi. Some are simply false. Others are misleading or missing key details.
Here’s what you need to know before you cast your ballot:
Claim: People with felony convictions can never vote in Mississippi.
Our verdict: Misleading.
Mississippi bars individuals convicted of 23 specific felonies from voting — even after they’ve completed their sentence. The list includes crimes such as voter fraud, murder, rape, bribery and armed robbery. However, not all felony convictions lead to the loss of voting rights. Crimes like drug offenses and assault are not considered disenfranchising. A full list is available at sos.ms.gov.
Claim: You need a valid state-issued driver’s license to vote in Mississippi.
Our verdict: Misleading.
A Mississippi driver’s license is one acceptable form of photo ID — but it’s not the only one. Voters can also use a U.S. passport, military ID, tribal ID, student ID from a Mississippi college or several other forms of government-issued photo identification. For the full list of accepted IDs, visit sos.ms.gov.
Claim: Mississippi state law sets dates for when campaign yard signs can be put up.
Our verdict: False.
State law sets restrictions on where signs may be placed but not when they can be displayed. Rules about the timing of campaign signage are made at the local level. To learn more, check with your city or county government.
Claim: You can wear a candidate’s shirt or button to your polling place.
Our verdict: False.
Mississippi law prohibits wearing any clothing, buttons, or other items that display a candidate’s name or likeness within 150 feet of a polling place — unless you’re on private property. It’s also illegal to loiter within 30 feet of the entrance.
Claim: Voters can switch parties between the primary and the runoff.
Our verdict: False.
Mississippi law does not allow voters to change party affiliation between the primary and the runoff election. Voters also cannot participate in both party primaries on the same day.
Claim: If I didn’t vote in the primary, I can’t vote in the general election.
Our verdict: False.
According to state law, any eligible Mississippi voter can cast a ballot in the general election — regardless of whether they participated in the primary.
Claim: College students must vote using their home address, not their school address.
Our verdict: False.
Under Mississippi law, college students may choose to register either at their home address or at their school address — but not both. You must be registered in the county you consider your permanent residence. If you register at your home address, you’ll vote in your home county’s elections and may need to vote absentee if you’re away during the school year. If you register at your school address, you’ll vote in the county where your campus is located. If you’re away during an election (such as during summer break), you may need to vote absentee.
Claim: Any Mississippi voter can vote by mail.
Our verdict: False.
Mississippi does not allow no-excuse vote-by-mail. Only certain voters qualify to cast an absentee ballot by mail, such as those over age 65, voters with qualifying disabilities and individuals temporarily living outside their municipality. Check sos.ms.gov for the full list of absentee voting qualifications.
Claim: You can register to vote in Mississippi on Election Day.
Our verdict: False.
Mississippi law requires voters to register at least 30 days before an election. Registration can be completed by mail, in person at a municipal or circuit clerk’s office, or through certain public service agencies.
This report was produced by student employees under the guidance of professional journalists at the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center. “What Is True?” is the center’s media literacy initiative, which includes a fact-checking service and in-person training sessions. To submit a claim or learn more about training opportunities, visit rhcjcnews.com.
