The League of Women Voters of Mississippi is launching its 2024 Voter Education Forum Series, with one of the key events taking place at the University of Mississippi’s Jackson Center.

The free forum will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 15, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm., and will focus on expanding early voting access across the state, a hot topic as interest grows in adding early voting to Mississippi’s election calendar.

The event promises to be an engaging evening with a panel of experts breaking down both the opportunities and challenges of expanding early voting.

Don Mason, a retired law professor from the University of Mississippi, will serve as the moderator.

Panelists will include:

• Shanika Ward: Vice President of Voter Services for LWV Oxford/North Mississippi and liaison for campus Voting Ambassadors.
• Dr. Jonathan Winburn: Political Science professor at the University of Mississippi.
• Dr. Laura Antonow: Election Commissioner for Lafayette County.
• Jeff Busby: Circuit Clerk for Lafayette County.

The forum will be live-streamed on the LWVMS Facebook page.

“The League of Women Voters’ mission has always been about empowering citizens with knowledge to make informed choices. The right to vote is essential to a democracy,” said Ruth O’Dell, co-president of LWVMS. “We want our citizens to know as much as they can about this issue before the 2025 Legislative Session.”

The public is encouraged to join the conversation, whether you’re a student, local resident, or anyone interested in the future of voting in Mississippi.

In addition to LWVMS and LWVOXNMS, the forum series is made possible through a grant from the National League of Women Voters and is co-sponsored by groups like the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, the State of Mississippi Organization Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and the National Pan-Hellenic Council of North Mississippi. Mississippi Today also serves as a media sponsor for the event.