Jan. 2, 2026 – Feb. 2, 2026, are the start and end dates for certain Judicial positions to be eligible to be on the ballot come November.

These elections include Circuit Judges and Chancery Court Judges.

Circuit Judges hear criminal cases and car wrecks and personal injury type cases.

Chancery Judges hear divorces, custody, adoptions, wills and land disputes.

(there are other legal areas, respectively, but these are the broad strokes.)

The Mississippi Secretary of State has a current listing of candidates, qualification requirements and deadlines.

See the current listing here and it is updated daily. https://www.sos.ms.gov/node/1825

Some races will be interesting with multiple candidates in open seats and some with incumbents!

Matthew Thompson is a civil litigation attorney in Mississippi and reminds you good lawyers know the law, great lawyers know the Judge!