In DeSoto County, Mississippi, Election Commissioner Sissie Ferguson confirmed that over 2,000 affidavit ballots are still being reviewed. These ballots, similar to provisional ballots in other states, were cast by voters who discovered their names missing from the poll books on Election Day.

Why voters turned in affidavit ballots

Many voters believed they were properly registered, only to learn at the polls that their registration status was listed as “inactive.” Kelly Jacobs, chair of Indivisible DeSoto County, described voters waiting in line for hours—even in rain—before being told they were not in the poll book.

“They were prepared. They came. They stood in line for one hour, two hours. They stood in line in the rain,” Jacobs said. “And then when they got up there, they’re told, ‘You’re not in the book.’”

How voters will learn the outcome

Commissioner Ferguson explained that once the statewide election is certified, voters can check the status of their affidavit ballots online. There is no opportunity to correct or change a ballot after it has been cast.

Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson added that voters who submitted affidavit ballots because they lacked proper identification must present the required ID at their circuit clerk’s office by Tuesday, November 10. Voters who used affidavit ballots for other reasons do not need to take any further action.

Statewide processing numbers

Watson reported that, as of Friday evening, 11,202 affidavit ballots had been processed across Mississippi, with approximately 78% accepted. The remaining ballots are still being reviewed, and the state’s online tracker will not display a ballot’s status until it has been processed and the election certified.

“If yours has not been processed yet, it will not show up on the tracker. So don’t panic, be patient,” Watson said.

Certification deadline

Mississippi circuit clerks have ten days to certify the election, setting the statewide deadline for November 13. Until that date, thousands of voters in DeSoto County and throughout the state will remain in suspense, awaiting confirmation that their votes will be counted.

Voter advocacy groups continue to urge residents to verify their registration status before heading to the polls and to monitor the online tracker after certification for updates on their affidavit ballots.

Original reporting: Action News 5 WMC (Gray) — read the source article.