Voting rights groups push for election changes as Mississippi counties continue counting ballots

Executive Director Nsombi Lambright-Haynes said there needs to be more voting options, including early voting, same-day registration and online voter registration.

“If we had online voter registration that could be managed by a data processing system that would make it so much easier on our circuit clerk's offices,” said Lambright-Haynes.

She said an updated voting system would be more efficient for Mississippi families and would create fewer challenges when counting ballots.

“We need a better system of our absentee voting process which honestly early voting would eliminate the need for that anyway,” said Lambright-Haynes. “So there are just certain very simple fixes for our voting system that we can implement tomorrow that would take care of our election issues here in Mississippi.”

The executive director also said filling out an affidavit ballot can discourage young voters who may be voting for the first time, as well as parents who already waited in long lines during their lunch breaks and must return to the circuit clerk's office to ensure their ballots are counted.

“It's very disheartening when you get a call from a college student who's excited about voting for the first time, and then their name doesn't show up on the voting roll.”

Mississippi election results are still taking shape. Counties have another week to certify their vote totals. Secretary of State Michael Watson said roughly 3,600 absentee ballots remain outstanding, and counties are still processing affidavit ballots. Most counties have reported unofficial results, but final certified returns are not due until Nov. 13.

Meanwhile, election officials are still counting ballots in Mississippi's U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democratic candidate Scott Colom.

Voters who cast affidavit ballots have until Nov. 10 to visit their circuit clerk's office with identification for their votes to be counted.

MPB contacted the Secretary of State's Office about the complaints. Officials said they have worked to modernize election laws, but lawmakers have the final authority to make changes.

The ACLU of Mississippi and organizations including the Southern Poverty Law Center and Mississippi Center for Justice also received calls from voters who reported problems at polling places.

Lydia Grizzell with the ACLU of Mississippi said the organization received calls from voters who had to leave before they cast their ballots because lines were too long and they needed to return to work or care for family members.

“Voters walked away without ever having cast their ballot and that was probably the biggest heartbreak. Were those who weren't able to cast their ballot,” said Grizzell. “Because no matter who your ballot was cast for, every Mississippian deserves the right to vote and make their voice heard.”

Grizzell said lawmakers should examine whether polling place issues contributed to low voter turnout.

“There's a question of is these processes and the convolution of the process is a contributor to the lack of turnout in the past. And so if that is the case, we can do as a state a better job of making that process accessible for Mississippians,” said Grizzell. “That calls for policy reform long-term. I think that Mississippi is ready to make sure that all voices are heard.”

Lambright-Haynes said the current voting system the state uses is hindering Mississippi's progress.

“We also need to eliminate disenfranchisement of individuals with felony convictions. And our state would be in a completely different place.”

Despite reports of polling-place issues, voting rights groups are encouraging voters to stay engaged and continue learning about their voting rights.