Florence, Mississippi Public Records

The sex offender registry is accessible to the public, providing information on registered offenders residing in Rankin County. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation assists in maintaining statewide criminal records, making sure of accurate and up-to-date information for residents.

Mississippi residents can register to vote online through the Mississippi Online Voter Registration system at www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/pages/voter-registration-information.aspx, operated by the Mississippi Secretary of State. Registration must occur at least 30 days before an election to be eligible for that contest. The process requires a valid Mississippi driver's license or state-issued ID card, and applicants must be U.S. Citizens, residents of Mississippi and the county where they register, at least 18 years old by election day, and not disqualified by certain felony convictions or adjudication of mental incapacity. Voters can also register in person at the Rankin County Circuit Clerk's office, at DMV offices, or by mail using a paper application. Municipal elections for mayor and board of aldermen follow a regular cycle in Florence. Mississippi schedules municipal elections for June of odd-numbered years, with May primaries when necessary. The next municipal election is set for 2025, when voters will choose a mayor and aldermen for four-year terms. Candidate information, local ballot issues, and election dates can be obtained through Florence Town Hall at (601) 845-2322 and the Rankin County Elections Division. Mississippi requires municipal candidates to qualify with the municipal clerk and pay qualifying fees, with candidate lists posted ahead of elections. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the Mississippi Polling Place Locator at www.sos.ms.gov, which requires entering name and date of birth or address information. Rankin County operates multiple polling locations on election day, assigning Florence voters to precincts based on residential address. Polls operate from 7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m. On election day, and Mississippi law mandates photo identification, including Mississippi driver's license, state-issued ID, U.S. Passport, government employee ID, firearms license, student ID from an accredited Mississippi institution, tribal ID, or military ID. Public election records in Mississippi include voter registration lists (available to candidates and political parties under certain restrictions), campaign finance reports for state and local candidates (filed with the Secretary of State and searchable at www.sos.ms.gov), candidate qualifying documents, and official election results by precinct. The Rankin County Elections Division publishes unofficial results on election night, followed by official certified results after canvassing. Precinct-level data flows through the county and gets compiled statewide by the Secretary of State. In the November 2024 presidential election, Rankin County reported strong turnout with approximately 65% of registered voters casting ballots, consistent with historically high participation rates here. The county follows a conservative voting pattern, with Republican candidates typically winning by substantial margins in federal and state races. Total votes cast exceeded 60,000 in the 2024 general election. The November 3, 2026 general election will be a midterm election for Florence and Rankin County voters. Mississippi does not have U.S. Senate seats up for election in 2026, as Senator Roger Wicker is not up until 2024 and Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith until 2026. However, all four of Mississippi's U.S. House seats will be on the ballot, with Florence voters casting ballots in Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District. All 122 seats in the Mississippi House of Representatives and all 52 Mississippi Senate seats will be on the ballot in 2023 (state legislative elections in Mississippi occur in odd years), so 2026 will focus on federal races and any county offices up for election. Rankin County elected officials including Sheriff, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, Circuit Clerk, Chancery Clerk, and County Supervisors serve four-year terms, with the next county elections in 2027. Voters should verify specific races with the Rankin County Elections Division as the election approaches. Mississippi offers absentee voting for voters who will be away from their county on election day, are 65 or older, have a temporary or permanent physical disability, are a parent or caretaker of a dependent with a disability, are required to work during all hours polls are open, or are an elected official or poll worker assigned outside their home precinct. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Circuit Clerk's office, and ballots can be returned by mail (must be postmarked by election day and received within five business days) or in person. The application deadline is seven days before the election for regular absentee ballots. Mississippi does not offer no-excuse absentee voting or universal mail-in voting, so most voters must cast ballots in person unless they meet one of the statutory qualifications. Absentee ballot requests for Rankin County should be directed to the Circuit Clerk's Elections Division at (601) 825-2217.