Q: When is the primary election and how do I vote?

A: Polls in Lincoln County will open Tuesday for the 2019 primary election at 7 a.m.  Mississippians can cast a ballot for statewide state district, legislative, county, and county district offices.

Polls close at 7 p.m.  Any voter in line at 7 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot, said Lincoln County Circuit Clerk Dustin Bairfield.

Primary elections are conducted by political parties in Mississippi. Voters will choose either to vote Republican or Democrat Tuesday. If a runoff election is needed in either primary’s races, it will be Aug. 27 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The winners of the Democratic and Republican parties will face independent candidates, if any, Nov. 5. Some races will be decided in the primary election, he said.

Other important information for Election Day includes:

• Absentee voting deadline: The in-person absentee voting deadline is Saturday.  The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk’s office in the Lincoln County-Brookhaven Government Complex on South First Street will be open from 8 a.m. to noon. The deadline to vote by mail is Monday and circuit clerk’s offices must be in actual receipt of the absentee mail-in ballot by 5 p.m.

• Polling place location: A list of voter precincts is available at www.golincolnms.com under “Circuit Clerk” and “Election Central.” Click “Forms” for the list. A polling place locator is also available on the Secretary of State’s website at at www.sos.ms.gov.  A sample ballot specific to the voter’s polling place is located on the Polling Place Locator website.

• Voter photo ID: Voters are required to show photo identification at the polls.  A voter without an acceptable form of photo identification is entitled to cast an affidavit ballot.  An affidavit ballot may be counted if the voter provides an acceptable form of photo identification the circuit clerk’s office within five business days after the election. For more information, visit www.msvoterID.ms.gov.

• Campaigning: It is unlawful to campaign for any candidate within 150 feet of any entrance to a polling place, unless on private property.

• Loitering: The polling places should be clear for 30 feet from every entrance of all people except elections officials, voters waiting to vote, or authorized poll watchers. 

• Camera phones: Voters are prohibited from taking pictures of their marked ballot.

For more information, call the Lincoln County Circuit Clerk’s office at 601-835-3435.