Haley drops out but still on the ballot

Mar. 6—Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced she was suspending her 2024 presidential campaign Wednesday, but voters will still see her name on the ballot next week.

Mississippi's 2024 primary elections are set for March 12, and Haley, along with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy will be featured on the Republican ballot for president despite having ended their campaigns.

In a news release Wednesday, Secretary of State Michael Watson said state law requires candidates to submit an affidavit to withdraw to have their name removed from the ballot. In this year's elections, he said, candidates had until sample ballots were published on Jan. 22 to file the necessary paperwork.

"A public announcement withdrawing from the race does not meet this requirement, therefore no candidate's name has been removed from the ballot," Watson said, adding that all candidates were made aware of the requirements.

With Haley's withdrawal, former President Donald Trump will be the only Republican candidate for president featured on the March 12 ballot who is still in the race. On the Democrat ticket, President Joe Biden will also be unopposed on the primary ballot.

Absentee voting for the primary elections is underway, and residents who will be unable to make it to the polls Tuesday have until Saturday at noon to vote absentee. Ballots can be filled out at the Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk's office, which is located in the old courthouse at 500 Constitution Avenue.

Contact Thomas Howard at thoward@themeridianstar.com