Shanika Ward, vice president for voter services at the League of Women Voters of Mississippi, said the state's election procedures are drawing national attention, making it critical for residents to confirm their status before heading to the polls. Ward called it "imperative" for Mississippians to check the Y'all Vote website, contact their circuit clerk, and confirm that their polling locations have not changed.
“It is very important for people to make sure that they're checking their voter registration status throughout the year,” said Ward. “Mississippi is one of the states that does do the most progressive purging of voter rolls.”
Ward explained that voters whose names do not appear on the voter rolls upon arrival at the polling place should request an affidavit ballot.
“An affidavit ballot is a legal written statement that states that you're eligible to vote, that you do wanna cast your ballot,” Ward explained. “And that you were signing this legal document to state that you will within your rights as a citizen to cast this ballot.”
According to the Secretary of State's office, Mississippi has more than 1.8 million active voters as of October. Ward emphasized that with every vote carrying weight, checking registration status is more critical than ever. Concerns have also risen around the SHIELD Act, enacted in July 2026, which established stricter voter identification verification requirements that could create obstacles for voters in November.
“One of the biggest barriers that the SHIELD Act has the possibility of posing is to persons whose names have changed,” said Ward. “For example, married persons, people who have recently gotten divorced, people who are recently opted to change their names.”
Lily Moens, policy and research director at Mississippi Votes, warned that unforeseen issues at polling places could prevent eligible Mississippians from casting their ballots.
“This is an election that you really want to be paying attention to and go and make your voice heard,” said Moens.
Moens added that checking registration status regularly should become a routine habit, as elections take place throughout the year.
As the election nears, Ward is also encouraging higher turnout among young voters between the ages of 18 and 35, noting that their voices are vital to shaping the state's future.
“Mississippi is so much bigger than what we are currently being portrayed as,” said Ward. “And in order for us to make the changes that we need, at the federal level, we have to start at home.”
