Voter registration for the 2026 midterm election officially closes on Monday, Oct. 5 in Mississippi. In-person absentee voting began on Monday, Sept. 21 and will end on Nov. 2 at 12 p.m. National Election Day will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Ballots in Lafayette County will include the senatorial race between incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Democrat and current district attorney for the 16th judicial district Scott Colom and independent candidate Ty Pinkins, as well as judicial elections for Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District.
Paul Winfield currently serves as the UM Voting Coalition president and the vice president of UM College Democrats. He also serves as an ambassador for Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere, a national, non-partisan program focused on university and student leaders.
Winfield expressed the importance of voting and encouraged everyone to head to the polls.
“We have elections that are important nonetheless, and that goes for … our judge races coming up this November, all the way up to the United States Senate and Congress. …There’s an impact on every single person voting,” Winfield said.
UM College Republicans also highlights the importance of voter registration for its members. President of UM College Republicans Tres Jones voiced his support for all of his club members to vote.
“Ole Miss College Republicans is committed to making sure our members are prepared to participate in the electoral process,” Jones said. “That means encouraging every eligible member to register to vote, keeping members informed about important election dates and deadlines, explaining voting procedures and providing opportunities to learn about the issues on the ballot. An informed and engaged membership is essential to meaningful civic participation, and we want every member to have the information they need to confidently cast their ballot.”
Mississippi residents above the age of 18 with no disenfranchising felonies are eligible to vote in the November election. Mississippi students should visit the websites of their respective county circuit clerk to determine their eligibility to vote absentee or if they must vote in-person. Eligible voters may register at a circuit clerk or municipal office, or by mail.
Out-of-state students who plan to vote in their home state’s elections should contact their local election commissioners to determine their eligibility to vote by mail while at school or if they must travel home to vote in-person.
