Pearlington, Mississippi Public Records

Applicants must provide a valid Mississippi driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Same-day voter registration isn't available in Mississippi; residents must register by the deadline to participate. Because Pearlington is an unincorporated community, it doesn't hold municipal elections for mayor or city council. Residents vote in Hancock County elections for county supervisors, sheriff, tax assessor, circuit clerk, chancery clerk, and other county offices, along with state and federal races. The county divides into supervisor districts, and Pearlington voters participate in elections for their district supervisor. County elections typically occur in party primaries each August and general elections in November of election years. Mississippi holds statewide elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other state offices in odd-numbered years - most recently 2023, next in 2027. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the polling place locator on the Mississippi Secretary of State's website at www.sos.ms.gov/elections. The tool allows voters to enter their address and view their precinct, polling location, and sample ballot. Polling places in the area are typically located at community centers, schools, or public buildings. Polls open at 7:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM on Election Day, though any voter in line at 7:00 PM is allowed to vote. Mississippi public election records include voter registration lists available with restrictions, campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees searchable through the Secretary of State's website, candidate qualifying information, and precinct-level election results. The Circuit Clerk maintains local election results, while the Secretary of State publishes statewide results at www.sos.ms.gov. In the November 2024 presidential election, Hancock County reported approximately 60% voter turnout, with about 17,000 ballots cast from roughly 28,000 registered voters, reflecting strong participation in this coastal Mississippi county. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 election, Pearlington and Hancock County voters will decide several significant races. Mississippi doesn't have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026, as Senator Roger Wicker's term expires in 2025 and Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith's in 2027. The Governor's race won't appear on the 2026 ballot either, since Mississippi elects governors in odd-numbered years, with the next gubernatorial election in 2027. However, all of Mississippi's four U.S. House seats will be on the ballot. Pearlington falls within Mississippi's 4th Congressional District, represented by a Republican congressman. All 122 Mississippi House of Representatives seats and 52 Mississippi Senate seats will be contested in 2026, as Mississippi legislative elections occur every four years. Hancock County offices up for election in 2026 may include county supervisor positions depending on district rotation, and various county offices depending on the election cycle. Voters should verify specific races through the Circuit Clerk's office closer to the election. Mississippi allows absentee voting for voters who meet specific criteria: those who will be away from their county of residence on Election Day, voters with disabilities, voters over 65, required election workers, or those whose work requires them to be away during voting hours. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Hancock County Circuit Clerk by mail or in person. The deadline is 12:00 noon on the Saturday before the election for mail ballots - November 1, 2026, for the November 3 election. Mississippi doesn't have universal mail-in voting or no-excuse absentee voting. Voters must provide a reason qualifying under Mississippi law. Applications are available at www.sos.ms.gov/elections or through the Circuit Clerk's office at (228) 466-1312.