Mississippi and National Groups to Election Officials: Voters Did Their Part, Now Do Yours
| Groups Applaud Strong Voter Turnout Despite Barriers, Urge County Clerks and State Officials to Ensure Every Lawful Vote Is Counted #CountEveryVote |
JACKSON, MS – Mississippi voters did their part, turning out in record numbers to cast their ballots. Black voters faced barriers and suppressive tactics, but refused to be deterred. A nonpartisan coalition of Mississippi-based organizations and national partners celebrated that determination and called on county clerks and state officials to match it with an equally determined commitment to counting every legally cast ballot. Through the Election Protection program, volunteers and hotline staff documented barriers voters faced across multiple counties: polling places ran out of paper ballots, leaving voters waiting, turned away, or unsure their votes would count; voters who said they registered before the deadline were told staffing issues in clerks’ offices had left their registrations incomplete; and too few voting booths and machines forced voters to wait hours. “Voters turned out on November 3rd. They waited long in lines. Some waited for hours when their polling places ran out of ballots. We are so proud of Mississippians- especially the young people-who came out in record numbers, refused to be discouraged, and showed up for their families and communities. This turnout belongs to them,” said Arekia Bennett-Scott, Executive Director of Mississippi Votes. The coalition urged county circuit clerks and state election officials to act immediately to address problems reported on Election Day and ensure every lawfully cast affidavit ballot is counted. Every lawful vote that is cast and not counted is a Mississippian whose voice is being silenced. “Mississippians did their part. Now election officials must do theirs,” said Nsombi Lambright-Haynes, Executive Director of One Voice, a partner in the coalition. “Voters who followed the rules and were still turned away, moved to an affidavit ballot, or left off the rolls through no fault of their own deserve answers and action. We will not let administrative failures erase the voices of the people.” The coalition calls on county clerks and state officials to take action:Count every lawfully cast ballot, including lawfully cast affidavit ballots.Publicly address Election Day problems and give voters clear, timely follow-up instructions.Correct registration and voter-roll errors and hold clerks accountable for leaving eligible voters off the rolls.Publish county-by-county affidavit ballot counts. “This is what democracy looks like when people refuse to be counted out,” said Rukia Lumumba, Executive Director of the People’s Advocacy Institute. “Mississippians turned out. Now we are asking every one of them to stay in the fight until every vote is counted.” They also urge voters who cast affidavit ballots to act now: Call your local county circuit clerk’s office and ask directly if your ballot was received and if it has been placed on hold. Voters who voted affidavit due to a photo ID or proof of citizenship issue have until 5pm on November 10th to present an acceptable form of ID or proof of citizenship at their circuit clerk’s office. Voters can also contact their county circuit clerk’s office to confirm their ballot was received, ask whether and why it is under review, and find out what information they must provide and by what deadline. Voters should keep their affidavit receipt and any polling-place paperwork, and record the date, time and name of anyone they speak with. Anyone told their ballot will not count-or unable to get an answer-should call or text 1-833-678-4321 for help following up. “This state has been undermining our vote for decades and we have been fighting back just as long. Our communities deserve transparency. Our communities deserve real remedies,” said Danyelle Holmes, Senior National Social Justice Organizer at the MS Poor People’s Campaign. “We are standing in the strength of our ancestors, for our communities, and for future generations. We will not be denied.” The coalition includes: JXN People’s Assembly; MS Votes; MS Black Women’s Roundtable; One Voice MS; Southern Poverty Law Center; MS Poor People’s Campaign; Immigrant Alliance for Justice & Equity; Nollie Jenkins Center; MS Center for Justice; MS in Action; JXNOlogy; MS NAACP; MS for A Just World; FairFight; NAACP Legal Defense Fund; M4BL Action Fund; and Black Voters Matter. |
