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Revised 03-01-11 Any applicant or recipient who contacts the worker to request an application, either in person or by phone, will be provided a voter registration form and declination form (see discussion of the declination form below). If the household requests that an application form be mailed, a voter registration form and declination form must be mailed along with the application. If the client who initiates an application or recertification by mail or telephone later comes into the office for the face-to-face interview, voter registration services must also be provided at that time. Assistance in completing the voter registration forms must be offered in the same manner as an application for agency assistance. Clients must clearly be provided the option to either complete the registration form in the office or take the form with them to complete at a later time. Caseworkers, though, should encourage clients who check “yes,” or otherwise say they’d like to register to vote, to complete the application on site to ensure timely delivery to the Circuit Clerk. Households that do not complete the forms in the office may either hand deliver or mail completed forms to the county Circuit Clerk’s office or return the forms to the MDHS county office. Clients should be informed that completed voter registration forms will be submitted to the county circuit clerk within five (5) business days of completion or from the date received by the county office. During the application process, if the individual completes and signs the voter registration form, the date of signature must be entered on the MAST screen in MAVERICS. See “Declination Forms” below for procedures when the client declines the opportunity to register to vote. Whenever a client contacts the county office by phone or in person to report a change of address, a voter registration application must also be provided. If the report is made by phone, a voter registration application must be mailed to the household. When the form is used to update voter registration, Section II of the form, along with all other sections of the registration form, must be completed. Declination Forms Regardless of whether or not a client wishes to register to vote, a voter Declination form must be completed by the client. This form indicates if a client wishes either to register or not register to vote. Workers should remind clients that this form is for voter registration purposes only and in no way affects their application for benefits. Completion of the declination form should be handled as follows: 1. The client should check the box next to the appropriate answer to the question of whether he or she wishes to register to vote.

Volume III | Chapter 1

MISSISSIPPI [GENERAL: VOTER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS]

Revised 10 - 01 - 11