Oddusee Civic Guides · Verified September 2026
Three things that make voting in Hattiesburg different: (1) Mississippi has no online registration — register by mail or in person 30 days ahead. (2) There’s no early voting; if you can’t make Election Day, in-person absentee at the Circuit Clerk’s office (with an excuse — being 65+ counts) is the main path. (3) Judicial and school board races need a majority — if nobody gets one in November, round two is December 1.
This guide is built around Forrest County (Hattiesburg, Petal). Live in Lamar County (west Hattiesburg, Purvis, Sumrall) or Jones County (Laurel, Ellisville)? The same state rules apply — just register, vote absentee and get your free Voter ID card at your own county’s Circuit Clerk.
📍 Get the registration form | Check your status | Find your polling place
Key dates — November 3, 2026 General
- Registration deadline: Monday, October 5, 2026 (in person at the Circuit Clerk, or mailed with a postmark by that day).
- In-person absentee: Monday, September 21 – Saturday, October 31 at the Forrest County Circuit Clerk’s voter registration office (630 Main St, Hattiesburg). Weekdays 8 AM – 5 PM, plus Saturday mornings October 24 & 31, 8 AM – noon (required statewide).
- Mail absentee: postmarked by November 3 and received by November 10 (5 business days).
- Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 7 AM – 7 PM. Runoff if needed (judicial and school board races): December 1.
Dates can change — always confirm with the Mississippi Secretary of State.
Can I vote?
You can register if you’re a U.S. citizen, have lived in Mississippi and your city or county 30 days, and will be 18 by the general election.
- Felony conviction? Check the list — most felonies don’t disqualify. Only convictions on Mississippi’s specific list (~two dozen crimes like murder, robbery, theft, forgery, embezzlement) remove your vote — most drug offenses aren’t on it, and if your crime isn’t listed you never lost your right. If it is listed, restoration takes an individual legislative suffrage bill, a governor’s order, or a pardon — the Mississippi Center for Justice helps for free.
The ID you need
Photo ID is required: MS driver’s license (including Mississippi Mobile ID) or state ID, free MS Voter ID card, passport, military ID, tribal ID, government or government-employee ID, MS firearms license, or MS college student ID (USM and William Carey IDs count). No ID? Vote an affidavit ballot and show ID (or get the free voter ID card) at the Circuit Clerk within 5 business days. The free Voter ID card is issued at the Forrest County Circuit Clerk’s voter registration office — 630 Main St, 601-545-6049 — with almost any document bearing your name, like an expired ID, birth certificate, Social Security card or utility bill.
Primary & party
Mississippi has open primaries — no party registration; pick a ballot at the polls (stick with that party for any runoff). The 2026 primary was March 10 (runoff April 7).
What’s on the November ballot here
- U.S. Senate: Cindy Hyde-Smith (R), Scott Colom (D), Ty Pinkins (Independent).
- U.S. House, District 4 (all of Forrest and Lamar, part of Jones): Mike Ezell (R, incumbent), Jeffrey Hulum III (D), Carl Boyanton (Independent). The rest of Jones County is in District 3: Michael Guest (R, incumbent), Michael A. Chiaradio (D), Erik Kiehle (Libertarian).
- Judges (nonpartisan): Forrest County’s two circuit judge seats will have new judges — T. Michael Reed (Place 1) and Wes Curry (Place 2) are each running unopposed. All four chancery seats for Forrest, Lamar and the rest of the district are unopposed, as is Court of Appeals Judge Tony Lawrence (District 5, Position 1).
- Lamar County voters: one contested circuit race — Place 2, Prentiss G. Harrell vs. Ryan Bruhl.
Where to vote
You vote at your assigned precinct — Forrest County doesn’t post a precinct list online, so look yours up with the state’s polling place locator or call the Forrest County Election Commission at 601-545-6076. Voters who can’t enter the building can ask about voting at their vehicle, and anyone needing assistance may bring a helper of their choice.
Polling place locator | Y’all Vote — sample ballots
The offices Hattiesburg voters elect
Current officeholders as of September 2026 (verified). City and county offices are not on the 2026 ballot.
City of Hattiesburg (next election 2029)
- Mayor: Toby Barker
- City Council: W1 Jeffrey George; W2 Eric Boney; W3 LeAnn Vance; W4 Dave Ware; W5 Nicholas Brown
Forrest County (next election 2027)
- Board of Supervisors: D1 Gentry Mordica; D2 Sharon Thompson; D3 Steve Stringer; D4 Roderick “Rod” Woullard; D5 Terri Bell
- Sheriff: Charlie Sims
- Circuit Clerk: Gwen Wilks (runs voter registration)
Federal
- U.S. House: MS-4 Mike Ezell — on the 2026 ballot
- U.S. Senate: Cindy Hyde-Smith’s seat is ON the Nov 2026 ballot — vs. Democrat Scott Colom and independent Ty Pinkins. Roger Wicker is next up in 2030.
Full list of every office, from the Legislature to justice court: our Politics page.
Learn more
- MS Secretary of State — Y’all Vote — official info; Elections Answerline 1-800-829-6786.
- Forrest County Voter Registration — forms and the Circuit Clerk’s contact info.
- Mississippi Votes — registration drives and voter education.
- Mississippi Center for Justice — free voting-rights and restoration help.
- VoteRiders — free help getting a voter ID.
Always confirm dates and locations with the MS SOS and the Forrest County Election Commission (601-545-6076) — rules and deadlines can change between elections.
