Despite successfully administering the 2024 presidential election just a few months ago, Mississippi has shifted full steam ahead into the 2025 municipal elections. While the presidential election routinely garners tremendous attention, people often overlook our local municipal elections despite their being just as important.
In reality, this year’s municipal election may more directly affect the daily lives of Mississippians across the state. Except for a few special or private charter municipalities, almost all of the state’s approximately 300 municipalities will select new officials.
Upon the completion of the June 3 Municipal General Election, newly elected municipal officials will take office on July 1 and immediately begin making decisions and enacting regulations affecting municipal roads and bridges, law enforcement and fire protection, and health and sanitation services, to name a few sectors whose fates lie in the hands of those we elect. These decisions will not only affect you and your family, but also your neighbors and community.
So, while electing the country’s next commander in chief is momentous, selecting the right leaders to govern Mississippi’s communities is paramount. The government closest to the people is vitally important. To maintain transparency, accessibility, and efficient and cost-effective local government, citizens must engage in the upcoming municipal elections.
To ensure your voice is heard, there are still numerous opportunities to get involved in the elections process. Although the voter registration deadline for participation in the April 1st primary election has passed, the registration deadline for the primary runoff is March 24, and the general election voter registration deadline is not until May 5.
However, registering to vote and keeping your voter registration updated are only the first steps in preparation for voting. Prior to hitting the polls on election day, all voters should ensure they are informed by learning about the candidates and their platforms so that they can vote for the candidate whose goals and proposed policies best reflect their values and interests.
I encourage each of you to take the time to educate yourself on all roles and responsibilities of each elected position in your municipality as well as each candidate on the ballot. More importantly, remember that whomever the public elects works for you and the citizens in your municipality. They are public servants and should serve your communities. Good government comes from holding our elected officials accountable.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Secretary of State office or your municipal clerk.
Let’s get ready to vote, Mississippi.
This MFP Voices opinion essay does not necessarily represent the views of the Mississippi Free Press, its staff or board members. To submit an opinion for the MFP Voices section, send up to 1,200 words and sources fact-checking the included information to voices@mississippifreepress.org. We welcome a wide variety of viewpoints.
