The Road to 60: Reigniting the Fight for Freedom

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IN THIS GUIDE

• Our Partners
• Upcoming Events
• Voter FAQs
• Resources

Fannie Lou Hamer’s quote “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free” rings true in Mississippi's ongoing struggle for civil rights and voter enfranchisement.

A joint venture of the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee Legacy Project, the Mississippi’s Got Now: Road to 60: Reigniting the Fight for Freedom campaign is a multidisciplinary effort that unites community members, youth, faith leaders and civic groups committed to building a more representative, more inclusive and more democratic ecosystem in Mississippi.

With a goal of increasing voter turnout by 44%, this campaign seeks to register and mobilize 60,000 new or inactive voters across the state. Much like the campaign of 1964, The Road to 60 will draw national attention to the oppression that still plagues Black and Brown people in Mississippi.

The sole goal of this campaign is to help build political power among the most vulnerable communities in the state.

Meet Our Partners

Upcoming Events

‘Super’ Tuesdays Activation

Campaign partners join forces to host Super Tuesday voter engagement activities that incorporate phone banking texting, and canvassing communities and other culturally relevant events that appeal to motivation of voters. For details, contact Brandon.Rue@splcenter.org.

The Road to 60: Organize, Mobilize, Defend and Win Training Summit, Aug. 15-17, 2024

The Road to 60: Organize, Mobilize, Defend and Win Training Summit will serve as the convening space for Mississippi-focused organizers and community-based change agents. The summit will bring together key stakeholders and community members for a weekend of organizing, strategizing and mobilizing in commemoration of the 60^th anniversary of Mississippi Freedom Summer 1964 and will be in Jackson, Mississippi. The summit will pay homage to the Mississippi Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement and Mississippi’s legacy of civil rights. For details, contact: Advocacy@splcenter.org.

Mississippi’s Got Now: SPLC On Campus Tour Takeover

The SPLC partners with MS Votes, We Must Vote and NAACP to kick off its fall college tour to help inspire and engage young people to get involved in the upcoming elections. Tour dates coming soon. For details, contact Kimar.Cain@splcenter.org.

Partner Events and Activities

July 25, 2024: Freedom and Light Gala with General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi Inc. - Jackson, Mississippi.

• Voter Registration Activation and Video Promo 

July 26-27, 2024: Summer Breeze Activation with MS Chapters of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Jackson, Mississippi.

Sept. 15 -21, 2024: National Voter Registration Week in partnership with When We All Vote.

Oct. 7-11, 2024: National Voter Education Week / Text-A-Thon/ Distribution of Game

• Yard Sign Distribution Week

Nov. 5, 2024: Election Day - Voter Protection Hotline with One Voice

VOTER FAQs

We cover these, and many more voting-related questions in our comprehensive voter guide. Click here to download.

Who can register to vote?

You can register to vote in Mississippi if you are:

• A U.S. citizen.
• A resident of Mississippi and the county, city or town for 30 days before the election.
• At least 18 years old (or will be 18 by the date of the next general election)
• Not declared mentally incompetent by a court.
• Not convicted of a disenfranchising crime as defined by Section 241 of the Mississippi Constitution or by Attorney General Opinion, unless pardoned, rights of citizenship restored by the governor or suffrage rights restored by the Legislature. ^[1]

How do I register to vote?

Register to vote by Monday, Oct. 7 (whether in person or by mail) for the general election.

You can register to vote in person at any of these locations:

• Circuit clerk’s office.
• Municipal clerk’s office.
• Department of Public Safety.
• Any state or federal agency offering government services, such as the Department of Human Services.

Can I vote early?

• Mississippi does not offer a regular in-person early voting period. But you may qualify for absentee voting where you could vote before Election Day in limited circumstances.

What about absentee voting?

• Mississippi requires an excuse to vote by absentee ballot. If you qualify, absentee voting is available either in person at your county circuit clerk’s office, or via mail. For details on absentee voting, click here.

When do I vote?

• Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone standing in line at 7 p.m. has the right to stay to vote.
• Don’t forget your photo ID!

Resources

• Check Your Voter Registration /Register to Vote
• Sign up to volunteer
• Five Myths About Voting From Learning for Justice
• Report problems at the polls by contacting One Voice
• Learn More About Who’s Running and How to Build Your Ballot from MS Votes

Illustration at top by LindseyMadeThis.

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^{[1] This law is currently being challenged in SPLC’s case Hopkins v. Hosemann.}