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Mississippi Primary and Delegate Rules

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. Mississippi primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.

Quick Answer​

  • Primary types: Democratic presidential: Open; Democratic state: Open; Republican presidential: Open; Republican state: Open.
  • Consolidated presidential and state primaries: Yes.
  • Democratic delegates: 40 total, 35 pledged, 5 unpledged, 3 alternates.
  • Republican delegates: 40 total, 40 pledged, 0 unpledged, 37 alternates.

Mississippi Primary Election Types​

Primary election types by party and contest
PartyContestPrimary type
DemocraticPresidentialOpen
DemocraticStateOpen
RepublicanPresidentialOpen
RepublicanStateOpen

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: Yes

MS is one of the states that have merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, Democratic presidential primary and the State primary are scheduled to run on the same days.

Mississippi is an open-primary State. Voters may choose which primary to vote in privately. The choice does not register the voter with the party.

Voting In Primaries​

  • To vote, you must register either in person at the Circuit Clerk’s Office, Municipal Clerk’s Office, or at a Public Service Agency (like DPS), or by mail- in registration application at least 30 days prior to the date of the election. All applications must be postmarked on or before 30 days prior to the date of the election. If the 30th day falls on a Sunday or legal holiday, then both the postmark and in-person deadline is extended to the next regular business day. Voters who have not yet reached the age of 18 at the time of a primary election may vote in the primary election so long as he/she will reach the age of 18 on before the date of the general election.

Mississippi Presidential Delegate Allocation​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.

Mississippi presidential delegate counts
PartyTotal delegate votesPledgedUnpledgedAlternatesAllocation methodThreshold
Democratic Party403553Proportional15% minimum vote required
Republican Party4040037Winner-Take-MostNot specified

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation​

Mississippi Democratic Party will send a total of 40 Delegate Votes and 3 Alternate delegates to the Democratic National Convention. 35 of the 40 delegates are pledeged and the remaining 5 are unpledged. The party will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 23
  • At-large Delegates: 7
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 5
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 5
  • Alternate Delegates: 3

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 4
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 1
  • Dem. Governors: 0
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 0

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Republican party will send a total of 40 Delegate Votes and 37 Alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention. All 40 of Mississippi's delegates to the Republican National Convention are allocated to presidential contenders in Mississippi Presidential Primary.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 12
  • At-large Delegates: 25
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 37

About These Rules​

This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.

The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: