Today, Friday, Jan. 31, is the final day to qualify to run as a candidate for municipal office in Mississippi.

The City Clerk’s Offices will be open until 5 p.m., the deadline for qualifying.

To qualify for office, a person must be a registered voter (“qualified elector”) of the State of Mississippi and of the district, county, or city of the office where he/she seeks election. The qualifier must have never been convicted of a felony (unless pardoned), bribery, perjury or other infamous crime (such as the misuse or abuse of an office or money coming into a candidate’s hands by virtue of an office).

Mayoral candidates must live in the city limits and each alderman must live within the ward for which he or she is seeking office, with the exception of alderman-at-large, who may live within any ward. Each must have lived within the municipality for at least two years.

 

Other important election dates

Tuesday, Feb. 18 — Absentee ballots will be available in the City Clerk’s Office

Saturday, March 1 — City Clerk’s Office will be open 8 a.m. until noon for voter registration

Monday, March 3 — Primary Election voter registration deadline

Saturday, March 22 — City Clerk’s Office will be open 8 a.m. until noon for in-person Primary absentee voting

Tuesday, March 25 — Campaign finance deadline at 5 p.m. for all candidates

Saturday, March 29 — City Clerk’s Office will be open 8 a.m. until noon for the final day of in-person Primary absentee voting

Tuesday, April 1 — Primary Election Day, polls open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 12 — City Clerk’s Office will be open 8 a.m. until noon for in-person Runoff absentee voting

Saturday, April 19 — City Clerk’s Office will be open 8 a.m. until noon for the final day of in-person Runoff absentee voting

Tuesday, April 22 — Primary Runoff Election Day, polls open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 3 — City Clerk’s Office will be open 8 a.m. until noon for in-person General Election voter registration

Monday, May 5 — Voter registration deadline for General Election

Saturday, May 24 — City Clerk’s Office will be open 8 a.m. until noon in-person General Election absentee voting

Saturday, May 31 — City Clerk’s Office will be open 8 a.m. until noon for the final day of in-person General Election absentee voting

Tuesday, June 3 — General Election Day, polls open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Tuesday, July 1 — Terms begin for elected municipal officers