Prep for the polls: resources ahead of election day

Lily Moens, policy director for Mississippi Votes, reminds voters that your polling place should be accessible, even if you can't make it in the building.

"It is federal and state law that a voter who cannot physically access the polling location either needs to be have access to an accessible entrance," said Moens. "So, that could be a ramp, or if there's no ramp at the polling location, there needs to be curbside voting."

On election day, Moens also says to be prepared for ballot shortages or other technical difficulties. She says if you can wait, you should, but if you can't, she encourages folks to try to come back later.

If you run into problems at the polls, you can call or text Mississippi Votes' election protection hotline at (833) 678-4321. You can also reach the Secretary of State's Elections Division directly at 1-800-829-6786 or ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov. You can find more information online at YallVote.ms.

Transportation can also play a huge role in being able to go vote. If you don't have a ride, faith-based groups and other nonprofits often have volunteers who an take you to the polls.

Mississippi Move is one of those groups — it's offering rides in 41 different counties this year said co-director of engagement, Sabir Abdul-Haqq.

"We'll take your information, you leave your name, your address, what time you'd like to be picked up," he said. "We'll be contacting you and we'll have a driver sit your way — almost like Uber." 

You can call 662-205-6683 or go to www.msmove.org to book a ride for election day. This year marks Mississippi Move's 15th year of "Roll to the Polls" and Abdul-Haqq said it's also the most volunteers they've ever had.

"We've got volunteers that are flying over from California and Washington State that are saying, 'We wanted to support in the South and we figure that Mississippi would be a great spot,'" Abdul-Haqq said.

That enthusiasm for the midterms has also bled over to voters, with Greene County Circuit Clerk Cecelia Bounds adding that folks will probably need to be prepared to wait on election day. 

"If absentee voting is any indication what our turnout is going to be on Tuesday, pack your patience," Bounds said. "There may be some lines." 

Bounds also has some day-of reminders for voters. 

"They need to remember their photo I.D.; in Mississippi, everybody has to show photo I.D. be to vote, period — absentee or at the polls," Bounds said. "The other thing is wearing campaign paraphernalia; maybe, T-shirts that have their candidates or buttons or maybe hats." 

"We have to keep a hundred and fifty foot from the door to the polling place that you're not allowed to have that kind of material out there." 

That enthusiasm, especially with voter turnout, may be partially fueled by redistricting efforts, particularly in the South, following the Supreme Court's breakdown of parts of the Voting Rights Act.