Over the past month, Mississippi Free Press has hosted in-person Solution Circles in Jackson and Biloxi, as well as 2 virtual, state-wide circles. Our team listened as citizens shared their voting and elections-specific concerns, as well as ideas for potential solutions.
We thank everyone who came out or called in to a Solution Circle, as well as our generous donors who helped make them happen.
Click here to see how MFP is already covering the 2024 elections – https://www.mississippifreepress.org/voting-2024/
ISSUESOLUTIONVoter Roll PurgesClear reporting on what is happening and why. Accountability for authorities doing the purging. Confusion around eligibility of former felonsResources outlining the specific disenfranchising felonies. Polling hoursExtend polling hours. Expand availability of absentee voting. Allow early votingUnhoused votersNon-digital information about registration (handouts for communities). Registration assistance. Transportation to the pollsTransportation to the pollsWork to publicize resources that already exist (ie “Roll to the Polls”)Child care on Election DayLook for orgs that provide child care. Encourage parents to take kids to the polls as that can be a civic education moment.Registering disabled/elderly votersClear reporting on how to register if you can’t make it to the courthouseAccessibility for disabled or elderly votersEasy access to resources for absentee voting. Accesssible transportation to polls. Clear direction on how to vote absenteeObstacles to absentee votingEnsure information about how to vote absentee is easily accessible and readily available.Lack of Civics studies in schoolEncourage schools to do mock elections. Expand YMP. Get more resources to youth via non-school channels (online tools). Make the school a voting precinct for eligible students and faculty. Encourage parents to take their kids to the polls.Lack of acces to voting for eligible incarcerated peopleReporting to bring awareness to the issue. Work with orgs already connected to incarcerated individuals.Issues with election machinesBallot shortages (Hinds County)Accountability for elected officials. Follow-up on their solutions for past issuesUnclear information from Sec. of State’s officeAccountability for elected officials. Follow-up on their solutions for past issuesLocal government is inaccessibleAccountability for elected officials. More connections with public servants like election commissioners. Pieces training the public on how to contact and build a relationship with their elected officials.Media bias prevents distribution