Pascagoula, Mississippi Public Records

Mississippi voters can register online through the Mississippi Secretary of State's website at https://www.ms.gov/sos/voter_registration/online-voter-registration, or they can complete a paper application available at the Circuit Clerk's office, public libraries, and various government agencies. Registration must be completed 30 days before any election. The state requires identification when registering—acceptable forms include a driver's license, Mississippi identification card, or other government-issued photo ID. When casting ballots in person, Mississippi law requires voters to present photo identification such as driver's licenses, government employee ID cards, U.S. Passports, student IDs from accredited Mississippi educational institutions, military IDs, tribal photo IDs, Mississippi voter photo IDs (available free from Circuit Clerks), or concealed carry permits. Pascagoula holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions on a regular cycle. Mississippi municipal elections typically occur in June of odd-numbered years (2025, 2029, etc.), with party primaries in May if needed and general elections in June. The next municipal election in the city is scheduled for 2025, when voters will elect the mayor and city council members for four-year terms. Information about municipal candidates, filing deadlines, and local ballot issues is available from the Pascagoula City Clerk at City Hall (228-762-1020) and the Jackson County Circuit Clerk. The city uses a ward-based council system with both ward representatives and at-large council members. Residents can find their assigned polling place by contacting the Jackson County Circuit Clerk at 228-769-3091 or by using the Mississippi Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/voter-information-center. Polling locations are assigned based on voter registration address and precinct boundaries, and voters must cast ballots at their designated precinct on Election Day. Under Mississippi public records law, voter registration lists are public records available for purchase from the Circuit Clerk for lawful purposes related to elections and political activity. Campaign finance reports for candidates and political committees are filed with and available from the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office and can be searched online at www.sos.ms.gov. Candidate qualifying information, including names of candidates for county and municipal offices, is available from the Circuit Clerk. Precinct-level election results are public records compiled by the Circuit Clerk and certified by county election commissioners, with detailed results typically published on the Jackson County website following certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, Jackson County reported voter turnout of approximately 52-55% of registered voters, with roughly 45,000 ballots cast out of approximately 82,000 registered voters. Specific precinct data for Pascagoula showed turnout consistent with county averages, reflecting typical patterns for presidential election years in Mississippi. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature several significant races for Pascagoula and Jackson County voters. While Mississippi's U.S. Senate seats are not up for election in 2026 (Senator Roger Wicker's seat is next up in 2024, and Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith's in 2026), state legislative seats will be on the ballot. Mississippi does not hold gubernatorial elections in 2026, as the governor is elected in odd-numbered years (most recently 2023). Jackson County voters will elect state representatives and state senators from their respective districts, with all 122 Mississippi House seats and all 52 Senate seats up for election. County offices potentially on the 2026 ballot include positions such as county supervisors (depending on district election cycles), though many county offices in Mississippi are elected in odd-numbered years. Voters should verify specific races with the Circuit Clerk as the election approaches. Mississippi offers absentee voting for voters who qualify under specific circumstances. Absentee ballot applications are available from the Jackson County Circuit Clerk's office or downloadable from the Secretary of State's website. The state allows absentee voting for voters who will be away from their county of residence on Election Day, those with temporary or permanent physical disabilities, persons 65 years or older, those whose employment requires absence from the county, students living outside the county, required caregivers of dependent persons confined to private residences, and members of the military and their spouses and dependents. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Circuit Clerk, and completed ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day and received within five business days) or delivered in person to the Circuit Clerk's office by 7:00 PM on Election Day. Mississippi does not offer universal no-excuse absentee voting, and voters must meet one of the specified criteria to vote absentee.