The special election primary on Tuesday, August 5 is very, very important. Turnout in special election primaries is typically low, which means your vote counts more. If you don’t vote, that hurts more. If there is a special election in your House or Senate district, please be sure to vote on August 5. If you can’t make it to the polls on August 5, vote absentee now.
We’ve been informed that the Betsy DeVos national voucher super PAC, the AFC Victory Fund (AFCVF), has inserted itself in this election, spending reams of out-of-state money attacking Mississippi pro-public school candidates and supporting pro-voucher candidates. Be aware that any mailer you get from the AFC Victory Fund likely is filled with false claims, and warn your friends and family: the stated goal of that PAC is to get “school choice” candidates elected, and underhanded campaign tactics are standard for these pro-choice billionaires.
Please also check out what the candidates themselves say about public school funding, vouchers, pre-k, and other important education issues in our Candidate Q&A.
The legislative districts to be decided in this election are:
House District 16 – parts of Chickasaw, Lee, Monroe, and Pontotoc counties. Will be decided in August 5 primary election. See candidates’ responses to our education questionnaire.
House District 22 – parts of Chickasaw, Clay, and Monroe counties. No contested primary election; will be decided in the November 4 general election. See candidates’ responses to our education questionnaire.
House District 36 – parts of Clay, Lowndes, Monroe, and Oktibbeha counties. Uncontested.
House District 39 – parts of Lowndes and Monroe counties. Uncontested.
House District 41 – parts of Lowndes County. Will be decided in the August 5 primary election. See candidates’ responses to our education questionnaire.
Senate District 1 – parts of DeSoto and Tate counties. Contested primary election on August 5 and contested general election on November 4. See candidates’ responses to our education questionnaire.
Senate District 2 – parts of DeSoto and Tunica counties. Contested primary election on August 5 and contested general election on November 4. See candidates’ responses to our education questionnaire.
Senate District 11 – parts of Coahoma, DeSoto, Quitman, Tate, and Tunica counties. Contested primary election on August 5 and contested general election on November 4. See candidates’ responses to our education questionnaire.
Senate District 19 – parts of DeSoto County. No contested primary election; will be decided in the November 4 general election. See candidates’ responses to our education questionnaire.
Senate District 34 – parts of Covington, Jasper, and Jones counties. Uncontested.
Senate District 41 – parts of Covington, Lamar, Marion, and Walthall counties. Uncontested.
Senate District 42 – parts of Forrest, Greene, Jones, and Wayne counties. Will be decided in August 5 primary election. See candidates’ responses to our education questionnaire.
Senate District 44 – parts of Forrest, Lamar, and Perry counties. Contested primary election on August 5 and contested general election on November 4. See candidates’ responses to our education questionnaire.
Senate District 45 – parts of Forrest and Lamar counties. No contested primary election; will be decided in the November 4 general election. See candidates’ responses to our education questionnaire.
If candidates in your district have not completed the survey, send them this link to the downloadable survey and encourage them to participate.
We also need your help fending off the recently passed federal tax-credit vouchers. While the legislation does give states the option of participating in the program (or not), it is possible that Gov. Reeves will be the person to decide whether or not Mississippi opts in, and he almost certainly will have great influence no matter who makes the final decision. He needs to hear from you.
Please call Gov. Reeves and let him know that we DO NOT want the federal tax-credit vouchers in Mississippi.
Gov. Reeves: 601.359.3150
In light of the escalating attacks on public schools and the incessant efforts to create a taxpayer-funded system of private schools, it is more important than ever that we elect pro-public school candidates. Here are ways you can help:
- Share the link to our Candidate Q&A on your own social media
- Post warnings about the AFC Victory Fund Super PAC, which is paying for ads and mailers to elect pro-voucher candidates
- Use our Election Toolkit to support your candidate of choice (put a sign in your yard, knock on doors, man a phone bank, wave signs on election day, write postcards to voters, send a donation)
- Use your social media to remind others to vote absentee now or on primary election day, August 5
- VOTE, either by absentee ballot now or in the August 5 primary and November 4 general elections
- Take a friend or two with you to the polls
We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to elect education supporters to our State Legislature. Our kids are counting on us, and together, we’ve got this!
