The deadline to register to vote for Nov. 4 general elections in Mississippi has come and gone.  So, if you are 18 years old, a Mississippi resident and are at your computer reading this right now, I seriously hope you took care of that.

Fortunately, living in Mississippi, I don’t have to worry too much about my fellow young people not voting.  Mississippi tends to have a high young voter turnout.  For example, in the 2004 presidential elections, Mississippi ranked as the 17th highest in young voter turnout in the nation, according to The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement. 

I predict this year the youth are going to come out in even bigger numbers on Nov. 4. 

Statistics from the Mississippi Secretary of State show 577,315 Mississippians voted in the 2008 primaries, compared to the 74, 928 that voted in the 2004 primaries.  Also, the Clarion-Ledger reported that even before the registration deadline, over 130,000 new voters registered to vote in the state of Mississippi for the November elections – a number expected to rise as last minute registrations continue to be counted. 

And guess what?  Most of those registrations are among young voters.  http://clarionledger.com/article/20081009/NEWS/810090375&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

So, with all of these new voters in mind, it might be good to know what to expect when voting on Election Day.  This is especially true considering this might be the biggest presidential election in our lifetime – and it’s just a little over 3 weeks away! 

With the risk of sounding like your mom, it’s good to be prepared.  I hope these will make your Election Day go a little smoother.

What will be I be voting for, besides who will become the next president?

On Nov. 4, you will be voting for the President, Vice President, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and a third of the U.S. Senate.  Your state’s election ballot could also have other elections on it, like for Governor and Supreme Court Justices. 

To see Mississippi’s sample ballot for the Nov. 4 election, go here: http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:kCCincuwEggJ:www.sos.state.ms.us/about_sos/New%2520Release%2520PDF/2008%2520SAMPLE%2520BALLOT.pdf+see+mississippi+ballot+Nov.+4+2008&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

Remember, Mississippi residents, you will also be voting in the controversial special election between former Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D) and current U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R) for who will serve out the remaining four years of retired Sen. Trent Lott’s term U.S. Senate.

Where do I go to vote on Election Day?

The location where you vote is determined by your address.  You should be notified by mail of your polling place soon if you have not already.  Some state’s send voter registration cards, which will have your polling place printed on it.  If you live in one of these states, be sure to bring this card with you when voting. 

You can also check your state’s Secretary of State’s web site to find out where to go.  For Mississippi residents, that web address is www.sos.state.ms.us/.

What time do the polling sites open and close?

Each state usually opens polling places sometime between 6 and 9 a.m. and close them sometime between 6 and 9 p.m.  In Mississippi, polling stations are open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.  This is true for every election in the state.

What should I bring with me when voting?

What to bring with you when voting varies slightly from state to state.  If you live in a state that issues voting ID’s, then bring it with you.  Everyone should bring a driver’s license just to be on the safe side.  The best way to be sure you have everything you need is to call your local circuit clerk.

For any other questions, contact your Circuit Clerk, Municipal Clerk, Election Commissioner or the Secretary of State's Office.