A nonpartisan group is offering free rides to Mississippi voters who cast affidavit ballots in the recent election so they can confirm their identity and make sure their votes count, WDAM reported in a story shared by WBBJ.
A large number of affidavit ballots were submitted during the election. Jessica Carter with VoteRiders said many people do not realize they have to go to their county clerk's office in person to confirm their identification before their ballot can be counted.
VoteRiders' main focus is free ID help. The organization assists people who need a voter ID or any of the documents required to get one, and it covers the costs and provides any legal help needed to obtain the correct form of identification.
Carter said the group works alongside organizations already active in Mississippi. "It's not VoteRiders just coming in and doing a bunch of stuff," she said. "It's us partnering with folks that are on the ground already, that have been on the ground, and have been doing this work in Mississippi for a long time."
The deadline to cure affidavit ballots in Mississippi is Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m. Voters who need a ride to their county clerk's office can reach out to VoteRiders through its voter helpline.
The effort comes as Mississippi continues counting ballots in a close U.S. Senate race between Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Scott Colom.
Sources: WDAM via WBBJ; VoteRiders