What You Need to Know About
Mississippi’s SHIELD Act
What Is the SHIELD Act?
The SHIELD Act (SB 2588) is a Mississippi law that expands the state’s voter citizenship verification process. It was passed by the Mississippi Legislature in 2026, signed by the Governor, and goes into effect July 1, 2026.
Mississippi has had a two-step citizenship verification system in place since 2022. The SHIELD Act expands that system in several ways, most significantly by requiring annual checks of the entire voter roll against a federal database called SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements).
The New Verification Process
Here is what the SHIELD Act changes about how voter registration and roll maintenance works in Mississippi:
Expanded Verification
More registrants will be cross-checked against the SAVE federal database, particularly those who do not have a Mississippi driver’s license or state ID.
Annual Roll Checks
The entire voter roll will be checked against SAVE every year — meaning existing registered voters may be flagged, not just new registrants.
Strict Deadlines
If you receive a notice, you typically have 30 days to respond. If flagged near an election, you may have only 5 days after casting a ballot.
Who May Be Most Impacted
The new requirements could create additional steps for eligible voters who fall into one or more of the following categories.
- People registering without a Mississippi driver’s license number
- Married women who have changed their name (name discrepancies can trigger flags)
- Naturalized citizens, whose records may be incomplete in federal databases
- Rural residents with limited access to transportation or document services
- Voters with disabilities who face challenges meeting tight document deadlines
- People who don’t have easy access to their birth certificate or passport
Being in one of these groups does not mean you will be removed from the rolls or denied registration. It means you should be aware of the process and be prepared to respond if you receive a notice.
What To Do If You Receive a Notice
If the state’s verification process flags your registration, you will receive a notice from your county circuit clerk. Here’s what to do:
Don’t ignore the notice
You have a 30-day window to respond after you receive a clerk’s notice. Missing this deadline could result in your registration being denied. If you receive any letter related to your voter registration, act on it promptly.
Gather your proof of citizenship
Locate one of the documents listed in the Documents section below. Your circuit clerk’s notice should specify which documents are accepted.
Submit your documentation
Send or deliver your documentation to your county circuit clerk’s office as directed in the notice. Keep a copy for your own records and, if mailing, use certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
If you’re flagged near an election
You can still cast an affidavit ballot. However, if you vote on an affidavit ballot without having previously submitted proof of citizenship, you will have only 5 days after the election to submit your documentation or your ballot will not be counted.
What Documents Can Prove Citizenship
If you receive a notice asking for proof of citizenship, here are the types of documents that are typically accepted. It’s a good idea to locate these documents now, before you need them.
| Document | Notes | Cost to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Passport or Passport Card | Strongest proof of citizenship; valid for travel | $130–$165+ |
| Birth Certificate | Must be a certified copy from the issuing state. In Mississippi, a new certified copy requires a trip to Jackson or a mail request (can take several weeks). | ~$17 + time |
| U.S. Naturalization Certificate | Required for naturalized citizens. Replacement can be expensive and time-consuming. | $555 to replace |
| U.S. Citizenship Certificate | Issued to individuals who derived citizenship through a parent | Varies |
| Military ID with citizenship info | May be accepted in some circumstances | Free (if active) |
You’re not alone. Roughly 80% of Mississippians don’t have a passport, and many people don’t know where their birth certificate is. Help is available — call 1-833-678-4321 to connect with resources to obtain documents.
Where to Get Help
Find Your Circuit Clerk
All voter registration notices come from your county circuit clerk. Visit sos.ms.gov to find your county’s contact information.
Check Your Registration
Verify that your voter registration is active using the Mississippi Secretary of State’s voter lookup tool.
Get a Birth Certificate
Mississippi birth certificates can be requested through the MS Vital Records office. Processing takes several weeks by mail; in-person is faster but requires a trip to Jackson.
Common Questions & Clarifications
There has been a lot of information (and misinformation) circulating about what this law does and doesn’t do. Here are some clarifications:
Help Is Available
Whether you’ve received a notice, need help getting documents, or just have questions about your registration, free assistance is available to all Mississippians.
1-833-678-4321