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Special to The Bolton News Tucked quietly along Interstate 20, Bolton may seem like just another small Mississippi town—but beneath its modest appearance lies a rich and often overlooked history shaped by railroads, resilience, and generations of community pride. Long before modern traffic passed by at highway speed, Bolton was a vital stop along the railroad line that helped connect rural Mississippi to larger markets. The town’s early growth was fueled by agriculture and transportation, with cotton and timber moving through the area and helping establish Bolton as a small but meaningful hub in Hinds County. Yet, much of Bolton’s story isn’t found in textbooks—it lives in the memories of longtime residents and the quiet corners of town. Echoes of the Railroad Era The railroad didn’t just bring commerce—it brought people, opportunity, and cultural exchange. In its early days, Bolton’s depot served as a gathering point where news traveled as quickly as the trains themselves. While the depot may no longer stand as it once did, its impact still shapes the town’s identity. Landmarks with Stories to Tell Scattered throughout Bolton are buildings and sites that carry decades of untold stories. Older homes, churches, and community spaces reflect the craftsmanship and values of earlier generations. Some structures have been repurposed, while others stand as quiet reminders of a different era. Local churches, in particular, have long served as anchors of the community—hosting not only worship services, but also social events, meetings, and moments of collective strength during challenging times. Voices from the Past Bolton’s history is also defined by the people who called it home. From farmers and educators to small business owners and community leaders, their contributions built the foundation the town stands on today. Many families in Bolton can trace their roots back generations, carrying forward traditions and stories that rarely make headlines but remain deeply meaningful. Moments of Resilience Like many small towns, Bolton has faced its share of challenges—from economic shifts to natural disasters. Yet time and again, the community has adapted and endured. These moments of resilience, often unrecorded outside of local memory, are a defining part of Bolton’s character. Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future Today, there is a growing appreciation for preserving Bolton’s history—not just in buildings, but in storytelling. Community events, local initiatives, and conversations among residents are helping ensure that these hidden histories are not lost. Because in Bolton, history isn’t just something that happened—it’s something that continues to live on through its people.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB The 2020’s haven’t been kind to once-great animation giant Pixar, at least with its original titles. “Onward” had its box office cut down by the pandemic. Three straight movies had to forgo theatrical releases and go straight to Disney+. “Lightyear” was the first movie from the studio that I couldn’t bring myself to recommend. That movie, along with passable-but-middling efforts “Elemental” and “Elio” were all unable to win a single weekend at the domestic box office. Yes, “Inside Out 2” made more money domestically than any movie in the last three years, but that was an established property. Pixar needs an original hit to pull itself out of its rut, and I’m happy to report that “Hoppers” is just the movie to do it. The story follows outspoken college student and animal-lover Mabel (Piper Curda) as she tries to save the glade near her home from getting bulldozed at the behest of Mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm) to make room for a new highway. She’d have a better case if there were any animals making their home in the glade, but she’s sure that if the land can be protected, the animals will come. What she really needs is to move a beaver into the area that can dam up a stream and create a water supply for an ecosystem’s worth of animals. But finding a beaver turns out to be harder than she thought. The only one she can find is one that willingly gets into a car, rides to the university, and goes into the office of Dr. Sam (Kathy Najimy). It turns out that the beaver “is” Dr. Sam. The professor has created a machine that allows a human mind to enter a robotic animal body. This allows them to observe and study animals without their human-sized bodies causing a distraction. Think of it as the technology from “Avatar,” Mabel certainly does. Of course, Dr. Sam created the “hopping” technology for observational purposes only, and of course, Mabel disobeys all instructions and goes hopping as a beaver herself on a mission to save the glade. Mabel struggles to adapt to animal culture at first, especially the animals-have-to-eat-other-animals aspect. But she soon makes the acquaintance of King George (Bobby Moynihan), the beaver leader of a system of animals at a nearby pond and the character that I imagine will best lend himself to merchandising going forward. King George teaches her about “Pond Rules,” where everybody is friends, everybody helps out, and eating for sustenance isn’t personal. He sees the good in everybody, from the smallest creatures to dangerous predators to humans like Mayor Jerry. Mabel fulfills her mission and helps King George take back the glade for the animals. But then Mayor Jerry retaliates, and she hadn’t counted on escalation. King George summons a whole council of animal monarchs to decide whether to fight more ferociously, and the Insect Queen (Meryl Streep) wants to take it a step further and squish Mayor Jerry for good. Mabel didn’t want to take things “that” far, but soon things are out of control. Can she, in her fake beaver guise, diffuse an entire war between animals and humans? In some respects, mostly storytelling, “Hoppers” isn’t a huge step forward. Disney/Pixar characters get themselves in too deep over lies all the time, so this is par for the course in this era. And I did cringe at some of the jokes, especially ones that lean too heavily on modern slang. But this is what Disney and Pixar do best: adorable animals, clever gags, fun performances, and heartfelt emotional beats. I imagine that kids will love it and adults will like it. I liked it enough to say that I hope Pixar makes a well-deserved comeback with it, but I also hope that they have even bigger hits with more ambitious projects going forward. Grade: B “Hoppers” is rated PG for action/peril, some scary images, and mild language. Its running time is 104 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Special to The Bolton News The Bolton Baptist Church will host its popular Farmers Market and Animal Swap on Saturday, March 21, from 8 a.m. to noon, offering residents of Bolton, Mississippi and the surrounding area a unique opportunity to buy, sell, or trade livestock in a friendly, small-town setting. The Animal Swap portion of the event features a variety of animals, including chickens, rabbits, goats, and other small farm animals. It’s designed to be a welcoming environment where farmers, hobbyists, and families can connect, share knowledge, and find quality livestock for their homesteads. The swap provides a convenient way for local residents to acquire animals or pass them along to new homes while fostering a sense of community. In addition to the Animal Swap, the Farmers Market will feature locally grown produce, handmade goods, and other items from area vendors. It’s an ideal way to support local agriculture and small businesses while enjoying a morning outdoors. Organizers say the event is more than just a marketplace; it’s a chance for neighbors to gather, share tips about raising animals, gardening, and farm life, and strengthen the small-town bonds that make Bolton unique. The Farmers Market and Animal Swap will take place Saturday, March 21, from 8 a.m. to noon at Bolton Baptist Church. Everyone is invited to come out, browse the offerings, and enjoy a morning of community, commerce, and camaraderie.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Ten-year-old Billy and his dad were going to eat at Billy’s favorite buffet-style restaurant. It was the boy’s birthday, and Dad had indulgently told him that he could have anything he wanted, as much as he wanted. Big mistake. Billy grabbed a plate and headed straight for the prime rib, steaks, roasts, and seafood bar. Without even a side glance at all the salads, vegetables, and fruits. As he began piling his plate with meats only, his dad stopped him with a warning. “Son, you don’t want to do that. If you eat all that meat, you’re gonna have a beauty of a stomach ache later. You need to have a few vegetables on there.” Confidently, Billy replied, “Nah, I’m good,” and continued building the second layer of his ‘Ode To The Love Of Meat’  on his plate. When he finally reached the dessert bar, he reached for a second large plate and proceeded to load it with every kind of chocolate dessert available. This time Dad spoke firmly, “Absolutely not, Billy! If you ate all that, you would be terribly sick tonight.” Glancing briefly at his dad, Billy’s voice took on an arrogant tone, “You  said I could have whatever I wanted to eat, and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do!” Dad was now faced with difficult choices. Indulge a short-sighted birthday promise he had made that would definitely have consequences, or stick to his guns and enforce what he knew was best for his son. Let Billy indulge to his heart’s content and learn an important lesson in life about self-control, or stop the idiocy beforehand. The life lesson in over-eating won out. Shaking his head, Dad sighed and told Billy, “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t try to warn you, son.” Can you imagine yourself as Billy, and your Creator as the father who loves to indulge you…but only to a point. That point being when you insist on being really stupid.  For example, when you decide to buy a brand-new car with sky-high monthly payments. When you leave your marriage because you’ve become infatuated with a co-worker. Or when you decide to quit your job, ignore your debts, and take a few years to just indulge your love of travel. How does He make the difficult choices between letting you take the fun road, or forcing you to consider your ways and do some growing up? No doubt about it. With God, the fun road isn’t the first consideration. Helping you to learn to take the high road, that’s His focus. And God has perfect focus. He never forces you to do His will, He will let you learn at your own pace and make your own mistakes. But trust me, He will be trying to teach you the life lessons you need. And most of the time, it’s gonna hurt.

By Bob Garver "Scream” is easily my favorite horror franchise. It might be my favorite movie franchise overall, but especially in terms of horror. That’s why it really hurts me to say that “Scream 7” isn’t up to snuff. It’s not hard to see why this installment falls short, given its troubled production history. The latter half of 2023 saw the departures of both co-directors and both lead actresses from both of the last two installments that had reinvigorated the franchise for the 2020’s. Rather than cancel the project outright, the studio forged ahead with a retooled movie with original star Neve Campbell and original screenwriter Kevin Williamson as director. In theory, this could work, especially with the always-welcome Campbell as the lead, but this film never quite shakes off the passionless stench of someone having to deliver a film to meet an obligation despite the absence of first-choice talent. The film, as expected, opens with a violent pre-title sequence. A young couple (Jimmy Tatro and Michelle Randolph) check into the old house of original co-killer Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), now a rental property for fans of murder scenes. Spooky surprises are hidden throughout the house, including a robot wearing the iconic Ghostface costume. Eventually a non-robot Ghostface shows up, ready for some slashing. It’s not a lock that the couple will be killed like so many pre-title sequence characters before them, but… I didn’t see them bucking the trend. We soon rejoin Sidney Prescott (Campbell) trying to live a life out of media spotlight, despite having found herself as a player in five killing sprees in her lifetime. She’s married to the local chief of police (Joel McHale) and has three children, two of whom are away visiting their grandparents. Her teenage daughter Tatum (Isabel May) wants to know some of the juicy details of her past, which she refuses to divulge, but otherwise clashes with her, disobeys her, and wants nothing to do with her, in typical teenage fashion. One day, Sidney gets a call from someone using the familiar Roger L. Jackson filter. It’s the new killer. But instead of terrorizing Sidney in the Ghostface garb, this killer directs Sidney to a screen, where she’s taunted by none other than Stu Macher (played by Lillard at his current age), who died in the first movie… or so she thinks. Did he somehow survive? Is this an A.I. prank? Either way, “Stu” makes it clear that Sidney and her family are targets for revenge. Potential suspects/victims line up. Sidney works at a coffee shop frequented by her neighbor Jessica (Anna Camp) and her slasher-obsessed son Luke (Asa Germann), as well as creepy wildcard Karl (Kraig Dane). Tatum’s circle of friends includes boyfriend Ben (Sam Rechner), and besties Hannah (Mckenna Grace) and Chloe (Celeste O’Connor). Shady characters on the periphery include rude drama teacher Mr. Willis (Tim Simons), mental hospital orderly Marco (Ethan Embry), and fame-hungry reporter Robbie Rivers (Mark Consuelos). Those are the new faces. But because the movie has to use nostalgia as a crutch, it’s not long before longtime ally Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) shows up, flanked by returning characters Chad (Mason Gooding) and Mindy (Jasmin Savoy-Brown), from the fifth and sixth movies, now working as the reporter’s assistants. And as forced as those returns feel, they’re no match for Stu and a gaggle of last-act cameos that serve no purpose other than for the advertising to be able to say that the actors technically appear in the movie. I found some things to like about “Scream 7.” Campbell hasn’t lost an ounce of Scream Queen credibility, there are some creative kills, and the fight choreographer certainly earned their paycheck. But any scene without Campbell that involves mystery, suspense, emotion, or even the series’ trademark humor is a miss. Save for one, I’m not interested in following any surviving characters to another movie. This movie probably shouldn’t have been made without certain people onboard, and I’ll say that there shouldn’t be another “Scream” movie until they can come back. Grade: C “Scream 7” is rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, and language. Its running time is 114 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Special to The Bolton News The Town of Bolton has announced that Hinds County has been selected to receive a Congressional Direct Spending Award totaling $975,000 to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the facility located at 109 Sharon Street. The building previously housed the Hinds County Department of Human Services and has long been a recognizable property within the community. Town officials say the funding will allow for major improvements to the structure and surrounding property, creating new opportunities to repurpose the facility into a revitalized space that can better serve the needs of Bolton residents. The project is expected to breathe new life into the site while strengthening the town’s ability to provide services and resources for the community. Leaders say the investment represents a meaningful step forward for Bolton as it continues working to enhance local infrastructure and expand opportunities for residents. Once completed, the renovated facility could become an important asset for the town and a focal point for future community initiatives. Town representatives also expressed appreciation to those who played a role in securing the funding and supporting the project. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson was recognized for his continued advocacy and partnership with communities across the region. Local officials also acknowledged the Hinds County Board of Supervisors for their support and collaboration. Special thanks were extended to Board President Robert Graham of District 1 and Supervisor Tony Smith of District 2, along with Lynn Seals, Director of Administration and Human Capital Development for Hinds County, for their leadership and assistance throughout the process. Town officials noted that the support from federal and county partners demonstrates the value of investing in smaller communities and recognizing their potential for growth and revitalization. Additional details about the renovation and future plans for the property will be shared as the project moves forward.

Special to The Bolton News Bolton, Mississippi, is quiet today. But in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the sounds rising from its fields, porches, and juke joints would ripple far beyond Hinds County — shaping the very foundation of American blues. Just outside town stands a Mississippi Blues Trail marker honoring Charley Patton, widely regarded as one of the architects of Delta blues. Born near Bolton in the 1890s, Patton developed a raw, driving guitar style and a commanding stage presence that influenced generations of musicians. His recordings in the late 1920s carried the sound of rural Mississippi to a national audience, preserving a musical tradition that had largely lived in oral form. Patton’s impact was not subtle. He blended work songs, spirituals, and field hollers into a powerful performance style that set the template for Delta blues. His influence can be traced through countless artists who followed, from early blues pioneers to modern rock musicians. What began in small communities like Bolton became a defining thread in American music history. Bolton’s musical legacy does not stop there. The area is also linked to members of the Mississippi Sheiks, including the Chatmon family, who helped popularize a distinctive string-band blues sound in the 1930s. Their music blended blues with country and folk traditions, demonstrating how fluid and interconnected Southern musical styles truly were. Unlike larger Mississippi cities that have built extensive tourism around blues history, Bolton’s connection remains understated. There are no large museums or annual festivals drawing crowds by the thousands. Instead, its contribution lives in historical markers, archived recordings, and the influence embedded in the music itself. That presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Heritage tourism continues to grow across Mississippi, with travelers seeking authentic stories tied to real places. Bolton has one of those stories — not manufactured, not exaggerated, but foundational. The question is whether the town will lean into that identity or allow it to remain a quiet footnote. Blues music was born from hardship, resilience, faith, and daily life in communities like Bolton. It told the truth about work, love, struggle, and survival. Those themes are not relics; they remain relevant. And in a time when authenticity matters more than ever, Bolton holds a genuine piece of cultural history. The roots of the blues run deep here. The soil has not forgotten.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Parenting kids…tough stuff. And just think of doing that same job from God’s point of view. He’s responsible for the same…guiding you and me to become good adults. Not a job that you would hear me volunteering to do in a trillion lightyears. Just imagine. God: “Jimbo, go to work everyday and do your job well, then go straight home to be with your family when you’re done. So you can be the husband and father they need.” Jimbo: “Huh, not happening, God. I enjoy goin’ out drinkin’ with the guys too much. I need some time to unwind.” And now God has to work at teaching and training Jimbo to see life the way God wants him to see it. And believe me, He will not accept Jimbo’s excuses and reasons for living life any old way that he wants. Why? Because God simply never gives up on us. Me in God’s shoes? I’d tell Jimbo to get it right. One time. Oh, I guess I might give him another opportunity to change his ways. Maybe a warning shot across the bow. But if Jimbo still made no attempt to learn to be a good family man, then my next shot wouldn’t be a warning. It would likely be dead center in the middle of his pleasure-seeking little boat and would turn his world upside down, with water rapidly filling and turning it into a watery grave. But not God. The Bible says He is a patient Father. He tells us what He wants for us. Then He tries again. And again. Until finally, He sighs and does what He has to do to get our attention. And it’s up to us to determine just how far He has to go. Heaven help those who rebelliously thumb their noses at Him, and keep going their merry way. Because God is known for using circumstances to get our attention. Things can go from good – to not so good – to bad – to “Somebody please help me, I’m drowning in my problems.” I repeat, because God simply never gives up on us. But back to parenting our kids. In a microcosm, we’re supposed to be handling our job just like God is with you and me. Loving, giving, teaching, training, disciplining, and even punishing to the necessary extent when nothing else seems to work. But never - and I mean never giving up. We parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles can’t afford the luxury of simply walking away from a hellion stuck in rebellion. That adult-to-be should be seen as too valuable to just hand his life over to a world intent on destroying everyone in its path. We need to employ everything at our disposal in trying to make a difference in our kids and their future. Prayers… pleading… discussion…counseling… explanations…lockdowns… ball bats…you name it, we need to try it. My point is simple. Be like Almighty God. Never give up. Try everything. Throw it all against the wall and see if anything will stick. Our kids are worth it.

Special to The Bolton News The Town of Bolton will gather Tuesday evening to officially welcome its newly elected Ward 2 Alderman, Thomas “Meatboy” Warren, as he takes the oath of office and begins his term of service. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., immediately followed by the regularly scheduled Board of Aldermen meeting at 6:00 p.m. The event marks an important moment for Ward 2 and for the town as a whole, as Warren formally steps into his role representing residents and working alongside town leadership. In small communities like Bolton, local government plays a direct role in shaping everyday life. Decisions made during board meetings affect infrastructure, public services, community development, and the overall direction of the town. The oath of office represents a commitment to uphold those responsibilities with integrity and dedication. Residents are encouraged to attend the ceremony and remain for the board meeting to show their support and engagement. Community involvement remains one of Bolton’s greatest strengths, and moments like this reflect the shared investment in the town’s future. As Thomas “Meatboy” Warren begins his service to Ward 2, the community has the opportunity to come together in unity and pride. Bolton remains strong when its citizens show up, support one another, and take part in the civic life that keeps the town moving forward.

Special to The Bolton News Thomas “Meatboy” Warren has been officially certified as the new Alderman for Ward 2 following the special election held Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The election was called to fill the unexpired term left vacant by the passing of longtime Alderwoman Helen Harris, whose years of service left a lasting imprint on both the ward and the City of Bolton. In a closely contested three-way race, Warren received 24 of the 50 votes cast to secure the seat. William Wood finished with 15 votes, and Lendell Mack, Jr. received 11. The narrow margin highlighted the importance of each ballot and reflected the strong interest among residents in selecting the person who will complete the remainder of Harris’ term. With the results now certified, Warren will step into the role immediately, assuming the responsibilities of representing Ward 2 and participating in the work of the board of aldermen. Because the election fills an unexpired term, his service will continue through the remainder of the term that voters originally entrusted to Harris. The special election was held under the shadow of the community’s loss. Harris was widely known for her steady presence, her accessibility to residents, and her dedication to the everyday needs of the ward. Her tenure helped shape the direction of Ward 2 through consistent involvement and a deep sense of care for the people she represented. For many, the election was not only about choosing a successor, but also about ensuring that the standard she set would continue. The turnout of 50 voters, while modest in number, carried significant meaning in a race decided by just a handful of votes. The outcome demonstrated the direct impact of local participation and the value of every voice in municipal government. As Warren prepares to take his seat, he does so at a moment of transition for the ward. His role will be to carry forward the work already in progress while honoring the legacy created by Harris’ years of public service. The certification of the election results marks both the conclusion of a necessary process and the beginning of a new chapter for Ward 2, one rooted in continuity, community trust, and respect for the foundation that has been laid.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB Christian music biopic “I Can Only Imagine” had a surprising performance at the domestic box office back in 2018. The film made $83 million despite never finishing above the #3 position on any given weekend. While it never escaped the shadow of “Black Panther,” which beat it every weekend, it did manage to ultimately outdo the Alicia Vikander “Tomb Raider” and badly-received kaiju sequel “Pacific Rim: Uprising,” both of which had better weekends in their respective debuts in the film’s first two weeks. The film did well because it had stamina and passionate support. Now sequel “I Can Only Imagine 2” has also debuted in the #3 position, behind the second weekends of both “Wuthering Heights” and “GOAT.” Will it have the stamina and support to pull off a similarly impressive showing? Probably not, but only time will tell. I did not see the first film, but I understand that it ended with songwriter Bart Millard (J. Michael Finley) penning one of the biggest Christian crossover hits of all time following the death of his abusive, yet redemption-seeking father (Dennis Quaid). Millard starts this film by assuring us that his story did not end with his achieving financial success in the early 2000’s. Life went on, and as life does, and it contained hardship. In the wake of the song’s success, Bart and his wife Shannon (Sophie Skelton, taking over the role from Madeline Carroll) have a scare when their son Sam suffers a diabetes-related seizure. He’ll have to spend the rest of his life receiving regular insulin injections, which scare him tremendously. Ten years later, in the early 2010’s, Sam (Sammy Dell) is a sullen teenager, while Bart and Shannon, having had four more children, aren’t as financially stable as they once were. Brick (Trace Adkins), manager of Bart’s band MercyMe, informs them that their upcoming tour is in jeopardy due to the headliner pulling out. The tour can continue with MercyMe as headliners, but they’ll need a new opening act. With curiously no time given to the decision-making process, the film introduces Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia), a struggling musician with a loving wife (Arielle Kebbel), an obsession with hymn “It Is Well With My Soul,” and a suspicious gratitude for every day that suggests he has been told his days are numbered. Bart, Tim, and the rest of MercyMe go on tour, with Sam tagging along to spend some quality time with his dad. Though Tim and Sam get along well, with the professional even inviting the aspiring musician to perform with him, the relationship between Bart and Sam is fraught with tension. Bart needs Sam to take his insulin shots on schedule, and Sam wants to avoid them at all costs. Bart wonders if he’s being a monster by “hurting” Sam, the way his father was a monster by hurting him. The film treats this insecurity like a legitimate question, but… the answer is no. Flat no. Bart’s father’s beatings didn’t take the form of delivering life-saving insulin. It’s not the same thing. Next dilemma, please. There are plenty of dilemmas throughout “I Can Only Imagine 2.” Both Sam and Tim struggle with health problems, Bart is under a lot of pressure to write another hit after ten years, his marriage has seen better days, the bus breaks down at one point, etc. But, this being the “uplifting” movie that it is, you can probably guess that faith will see these characters through their various crises. Faith is certainly not a guarantee that these characters (or anyone else) will not experience loss or despair, but genre expectations are such that things aren’t likely to end on a down note.   Grade: C   “I Can Only Imagine 2” is rated PG for thematic material and some language. Its running time is 110 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

As a reminder, Mississippians need to be aware of upcoming important dates and deadlines for the 2026 Primary Election for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on March 10. Visit the My Election Day portal  to receive election information tailored to your specific address, including a sample ballot. As you type your address into the system, similar addresses should populate. Simply click on yours to get started. Mississippians are encouraged to educate themselves on all races prior to heading to the polls.   In-Person Absentee Voting Circuit Clerk's Offices will be open this Saturday, February 28, from 8:00 a.m. until noon for in-person absentee voting for the 2026 Primary Election. The last day to vote in-person absentee is Saturday, March 7. Circuit Clerk's Offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. until noon. All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 10 (Election Day). To track your mail-in absentee ballot, visit the My Election Day portal . To learn more about absentee voting requirements, visit the Secretary of State's  Absentee Voting Information webpage .   UOCAVA Voter Registration Deadline For non-registered UOCAVA voters to vote in the 2026 Primary Election, Circuit Clerk's Offices must be in actual receipt of a completed Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) from a UOCAVA voter by Saturday, February 28. For more information regarding how to cast a UOCAVA ballot, please contact your local election officials or email  UOCAVA@sos.ms.gov .   The Secretary of State's Office is your primary and trusted source for election information. For questions, please contact the Elections Division at 1-800-829-6786, email  ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov , or visit  YallVote.ms . 2026 Primary Election Dates for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate February 28 - Saturday In-Person Absentee Voting Begins for the 2026 Primary Election March 7 - In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline for the 2026 Primary Election March 10  - Primary Election Day (U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate) Deadline for the postmark of mail-in absentee ballots