How to Help an Eligible Incarcerated Loved One Register to Vote in Newton County

In Mississippi, certain felony convictions permanently strip voting rights - even after release. So before you gather documents or fill out forms, confirm your loved one is actually eligible to register. Not sure if a specific conviction disqualifies them? Check the official voter registration materials or call the Circuit Clerk's office directly. Getting clarity now saves you from a rejected application later.

Start with the deadline and work backward. In Newton County, the voter registration application must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Newton County Circuit Clerk at least 30 days before an election. Mail delays happen. Jail mail can add extra time. Aim to have everything completed and sent well before that cutoff.

Even after successful registration, Mississippi requires photo ID to vote. If you're setting your loved one up for long-term success - especially for voting after release - confirm which IDs are acceptable and what options exist if they don't have one. The state's voter ID resource at MSVoterID.ms.gov and the hotline at (844) 678-6837 can walk you through what counts.

For the registration application, focus on what they can realistically provide from inside. No Mississippi driver's license number or Social Security number available? You may need an alternative document showing their name and Newton County address - a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document works. If you're gathering paperwork on their behalf, make sure the address matches what they're using to register, and send clear copies so the clerk can read everything.

Once the application is complete, send it to the Newton County Circuit Clerk. The mailing address is: P.O. Box 447, Decatur, MS 39327. Double-check the envelope before you drop it in the mail.

1. Confirm eligibility first - Make sure your loved one is allowed to register under Mississippi rules (some convictions can disqualify someone).
2. Get the mail-in voter registration application - Use the official Mississippi mail-in form so the clerk’s office can process it.
3. Fill out the application carefully - Use complete, legible information that matches the address they’re registering under in Newton County.
4. Gather ID and supporting documents - If they can’t provide a driver’s license number or Social Security number, include an acceptable alternative document that shows their name and county address.
5. Make sure it’s signed where required - An unsigned application can stall or be rejected.
6. Mail or deliver it to the right office - Send it to the Newton County Circuit Clerk at P.O. Box 447, Decatur, MS 39327.
7. Beat the 30-day cutoff - The application must be postmarked or hand-delivered no later than 30 days before the election.
8. Use the voter ID help resources if you’re stuck - For questions about acceptable photo ID for voting, check MSVoterID.ms.gov or call (844) 678-6837.

• ✓ Confirm your loved one is eligible to register under Mississippi rules
• ✓ Complete the application clearly and double-check the address used for registration
• ✓ Include copies of any required supporting documents
• ✓ Address the envelope to: Newton County Circuit Clerk, P.O. Box 447, Decatur, MS 39327
• ✓ Mail early enough to meet the “no later than 30 days before the election” deadline
• ✓ Keep copies of everything you send and note the date it was mailed

Confused about the photo ID requirement? Go straight to the official channels. Mississippi requires acceptable photo identification to vote, and the mail-in application for Newton County points to MSVoterID.ms.gov for details. You can also call (844) 678-6837 to ask what IDs are accepted and what to do if your loved one doesn't have one.