Mississippi

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Mississippi requires photo ID to vote in person Most voters do not need a copy of their ID to vote by mail. Check below for your options!

1 Check ID Rules

Voting in Person

Mississippi requires photo ID to vote in person.

Accepted Photo ID

You can show one of these photo IDs:
Government-issued ID can be expired up to 10 years 

  • Driver’s license from any state
  • ID card issued by the US or any state government
  • US Passport or passport card
  • Tribal ID
  • Mississippi Voter ID card
  • Employee ID card issued by the US government
  • Student ID issued by an accredited university, college, community or junior college in Mississippi
  • Mississippi firearms license
  • Military ID issued by the US government

Voting by Mail

Only certain voters are eligible to vote absentee in Mississippi. You do not need to provide a copy of your ID.

Absentee ballot applications must be notarized or sworn and subscribed to by an official authorized to witness absentee balloting. The applications of voters who have a temporary or permanent disability may instead be witnessed and signed by any adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get a free ID in Mississippi?

If you are a registered voter and do not have a photo ID that is acceptable for voting, you are eligible to receive a free photo ID from the state. You can get your Mississippi Voter ID card from your Circuit Clerk’s office.

To receive a free MS Voter ID card you must present one of the following documents:

  • An expired photo ID document with your name and photograph issued by the U.S. government or any U.S. state 
  • Birth certificate or any other document with your full legal name, date and place of birth
  • Social Security card  
  • Medicare card
  • Mississippi Voter Registration Card
  • Any of the following, as long as it includes the voter’s name and current address: 
    • Bank statement issued within the last six months
    • Paycheck issued within the last six months 
    • Utility bill issued within the last six months  
  • Any other government document issued within the current calendar year
  • Government check issued within the last six months  
  • IRS Form W-2, Wages and Tax Statement issued within the current calendar year 

VoteRiders can help you apply for a free ID and secure any documents that you need. Get free help now!

What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in Mississippi?

If you are a registered voter but do not present an accepted photo ID at the polling place, you may cast an affidavit ballot. In order for your affidavit ballot to be counted, you must present an acceptable form of ID at the Circuit Clerk’s office within five business days after the election.

Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Mississippi?
Yes, voters who have downloaded the state’s Mobile ID app on their Apple or Android smartphones can show their stored MS driver’s license or state-issued ID as an acceptable photo ID when voting in person.
Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Mississippi?

You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Mississippi.

Your driver’s license or state ID card will show a gold star if it meets REAL ID requirements under federal law.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

Who can vote absentee in Mississippi?

Only certain voters are able to vote absentee in Mississippi.

To be qualified, you must be:

  • Member of the Armed Forces (or spouse or dependents)
  • Member of the Merchant Marine or the American Red Cross (or spouse or dependents)
  • Disabled war veteran who is a patient in any hospital (or spouse or dependents)
  • Civilian attached to any branch of the Armed Forces, Merchant Marine, or American Red Cross and serving outside the United States (or spouse or dependents)
  • Temporarily residing outside the United States
  • Student, teacher, or administrator whose employment or studies necessitate their absence from county of voting residence (or spouse or dependents residing in the same household)
  • Outside your county of residence on Election Day
  • Temporarily or permanently physically disabled
  • Sixty-five (65) years of age or older
  • Parent, spouse, or dependent of a person having a temporary or permanent physical disability who is hospitalized outside their county of residence or 50+ miles away from his/her residence and you must be with that person on Election Day
    • You must be with that person on Election Day
  •  Member of the Mississippi Congressional delegation (or spouse or dependents)
  • Required to be at work on Election Day during the times at which the polls will be open