Jackson, Miss. – More than 15,000 voters have requested an absentee ballot for March 10, 2020, Primary Elections. Circuit Clerks Offices received only 10,503 as of Tuesday, March 3rd.

"As we've traveled around the state during our 82-county tour meeting with Circuit Clerks and Election Commissioners, we've consistently heard reports of lower than normal numbers regarding absentee voters," said Secretary Watson. "Our office has been spreading the word and encouraging Mississippians as often as we can to get out and vote in the upcoming Primary Elections, so we hope those numbers will see a spike this weekend. Additionally, we'll continue our efforts to drive up the turnout on Election Day. Too many men and women fought for our right to vote for us not to give it our all. We'll continue to remind voters of what an honor the right to vote is and encourage them to get to the polls."

During the 2016 Primary Presidential Elections, 20,842 voters requested an absentee ballot. Circuit Clerks Offices received more than 18,467 absentee ballots by the end of the election.

Circuit Clerks Offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 7th, to allow voters to cast an absentee ballot in-person. Mailed absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 9th.

Polls are open on Tuesday, March 10th, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Any voter in line at 7 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot. Voters can find their polling place and a sample ballot by visiting the Secretary of State's Polling Place Locator (https://www.sos.ms.gov/PollingPlace/Pages/default.aspx).

For more information about absentee ballots or the upcoming election, visit the Secretary of State's Y'all Vote website (https://www.sos.ms.gov/Vote/Pages/default.aspx) or call the Elections Division at 601-576-2550.