Mississippi § 23-15-563 - Qualified elector required to provide identification before voting; kinds of identification; voting by affidavit ballot.

Full text of Mississippi Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 23-15-563 — Qualified elector required to provide identification before voting; kinds of identification; voting by affidavit ballot., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 23-15-563. Qualified elector required to provide identification before voting; kinds of identification; voting by affidavit ballot.

Each person who appears to vote in person at a polling place or the registrar’s office shall be required to identify himself or herself to a poll manager or the registrar by presenting current and valid photo identification before such person shall be allowed to vote. The identification required by subsection (1) of this section shall include, but not be limited to, the following: A current and valid Mississippi driver’s license; A current and valid identification card issued by a branch, department, agency or entity of the State of Mississippi; A current and valid United States passport; A current and valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the elector and issued by any branch, department, agency or entity of the United States government, the State of Mississippi, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state; A current and valid Mississippi license to carry a pistol or revolver; A valid tribal identification card containing a photograph of the elector; A current and valid United States military identification card; A current and valid student identification card, containing a photograph of the elector, issued by any accredited college, university or community or junior college in the State of Mississippi; and An official Mississippi voter identification card containing a photograph of the elector. A person who appears to vote in person at a polling place and does not have identification as required by this section may vote by affidavit ballot. The affidavit ballot shall then be counted if the person shall present acceptable photo identification to the registrar within five (5) days. An elector who has a religious objection to being photographed may vote by affidavit ballot, and the elector, within five (5) days after the election, shall execute an affidavit in the registrar’s office affirming that the exemption applies. The intentional failure of an election official to require a voter to present identification as required by this section shall be considered corrupt conduct under Section 97-13-19 and shall be reported to the Secretary of State and the Attorney General.

Source: official Mississippi text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi § 23-15-563

What does Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 23-15-563 cover?

Section 23-15-563 ("Qualified elector required to provide identification before voting; kinds of identification; voting by affidavit ballot.") is part of the Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated, the codified statutory law of Mississippi. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Mississippi § 23-15-563?

A common citation format is "Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 23-15-563" (Mississippi). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Mississippi law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Mississippi official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Mississippi attorney.

How does Mississippi § 23-15-563 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Mississippi can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Mississippi.