Diversity and Community Engagement
The University of Mississippi

UM Votes – “Fall” Into Voting Registration

By Madeleine Dotson, UM Voting Ambassador

It’s that time of year again: the leaves are changing, the weather is getting cooler, and suddenly, Pumpkin Spice is everywhere. It’s time for you to pull out your sweaters, jeans, costumes, and obtain that voter registration card. That’s right, Fall 2020 also means the beginning of election season, and with a deadline of Monday, October 5th, you want to be sure to get to registering ASAP. Here are a few quick steps to help you get registered:

1. COMPLETING THE FORM
If you plan to register for the state of Mississippi, the deadline is coming fast (THIS MONDAY), and it is a paper process. You will need to print the form linked below  and fill it out legibly and accurately.

There is one big thing I want to note: the Mississippi eligibility requirement. In addition to being 18, a US Citizen, and not convicted of any one of the disenfranchising crimes, you must live in a specific county or city for 30 days. Meaning, those of us living in Oxford can be considered eligible to vote for Lafayette County. College students can legally choose to register either in your home county or here in Lafayette County, Oxford.

Tips to remember:

  • When listing the address, you want to make sure BOTH the mailing and physical address are located in the county you are requesting to vote in. Your mailing address should be currently in use, so folks on-campus can use a P.O. Box or PakMail.
  • On-campus students needing a physical address should list the address of your residence hall, apartment, or Greek house, and you can find these addresses on the Virtual Ole Miss Map. For example, if you live in Crosby Hall, list 115 Northgate Dr.
  • You need to provide your driver’s license number, but it must be from a Mississippi driver’s license. If you do not have a Mississippi driver’s license, you will need the last four digits of your social security number.

Download the MS Voter Registration Form (PDF).

Access the State by State Directory for other states.

2. DELIVERING THE FORM
Once your form is filled out, you’ll need to mail it to your Circuit Clerk’s Office or drop it off physically.

Your envelope needs to be postmarked October 5th at the latest, or you need to make sure you visit your Circuit Clerk’s office before 5:00 PM on Monday, October 5th.

For Lafayette County, the Circuit Clerk’s Office is located on the Square at 1 Courthouse Square (the big, white building). If you would like to register in person and do not have a ride to the Square, you can take the Blue West line.

For those registering in other MS counties, look up your Circuit Clerk Office here: https://courts.ms.gov/trialcourts/circuitcourt/circuitclerks.pdf

3. Confirming Your Voter Registration

After registering, you will receive a voter registration card in the mail. It’s important to check all that information. You can also check your registration status online in about two weeks at (https://www.msegov.com/sos/voter_registration/AmIRegistered ).

 

Need other assistance, have technical issues, or want to schedule a one-on-one appointment? Email us at engaged@olemiss.edu.

For your reference: