Jackson Free Press

Best of Jackson voting is divided into two stages—a nominations ballot and a final ballot! We must receive your nominations ballot postmarked by Nov. 19, 2015, or submit it online by midnight on Nov. 22, 2015. If you opt for the paper ballot, you must tear it from your copy of the Jackson Free Press (no photocopies allowed). We will announce the finalists on Dec. 2, 2015, and then you can vote on the final ballot until midnight on Dec. 20, 2015.

Remember that Best of Jackson honors our locally owned businesses and personalities who live and work in the Jackson metro currently. Please vote only for the best local, authentic choices (see jfp.ms/bojlocal/ for more info on the rules and who is qualified) and "new" means it opened or started Dec. 1, 2014, or later.

READ FIRST: Please read before completing your ballot, as violations will disqualify your entire ballot and possibly your chance to win:

1. You must nominate in at least 20 categories for your ballot to count. We will discard ballots that repeat the same vote in non-relevant categories.
2. No photocopied ballots will be accepted. Your ballot must be this newsprint version or cast online at bestofjackson.com.
3. Your ballot must include your real first and last name with local phone number and email address for verification (if needed). Do not ask friends and family from outside Jackson metro to nominate you or your business.
4. Each voter must choose every nomination cast on his/her ballot; similar and identical ballots will be investigated and perhaps discarded.
5. You are welcome to campaign by asking people to nominate you, but you must not offer financial incentives or discounts, set up computers or scripts with any votes pre-chosen, or ask to see someone's ballot.
6. It is important to spell names correctly for nominations to count; take time to look them up or ask, please.
7. Fraudulent ballots (using other people's names and contact information) will be discarded. Do not fill out a ballot for anyone else or suggest a slate of nominations.
8. No employees, full- or part-time, of Jackson Free Press Inc. are qualified to win Best of Jackson categories, and must not campaign on anyone's behalf.
9. Violation of any of these rules causes immediate disqualification from being nominated for or winning Best of Jackson awards.
10. "New" indicates opened since Dec. 1, 2014.

VOTE ONLINE and see more rule explanations at bestofjackson.com.

People

Note: In this category, vote for one local person; include first and last name; spell correctly for it to count.

Barista

Bartender

Best Dressed

Chef

Craig Noone "Rock It Out" Award for best new chef
 Hair stylist

Jackson visual artist (living)

Fitness Trainer

Local business owner

Local Democrat

Local Republican

Massage therapist

Photographer

Public figure

Server/waitperson

Urban warrior

Community & Culture

Arts organization

Community garden/nature attraction

Dance group

Local live theater/theatrical group

Nonprofit organization

Public forum or speaker series

Radio personality or team

Radio station (call letters only)

Stage play

Nightlife & Music

Bar 

Blues artist/band

Club DJ

College student hangout

Country artist/band

Cover band

Gospel artist/group

Happy hour

Hip-hop artist/group

Jazz artist/group

Jukebox

Karaoke DJ

LGBT hangout

Live music venue

Musician

New bar

Open-mic night

Place for cocktails

Place to dance

Place to drink cheap

Place to play pool

Place to watch the game

Pub quiz / trivia night

R&B artist/band

Rock artist/band

Sexiest bartender (female)

Sexiest bartender (male)

Singer

Food & Drink

Note: In food categories, list locally owned restaurant names, not individual dishes.

Asian restaurant

Bakery

Barbecue

Beer selection

Breakfast

Brunch

Doughnuts

Food truck/mobile vendor

Gumbo

Hangover food

Italian restaurant

Local burger

Local French fries

Local fried chicken

Local pizza

Lunch buffet

Margarita

Meal under $10

Mexican/Latin

New restaurant

Outdoor dining

Place for a gyro

Place for dessert

Place for healthy food

Place for hummus

Place to get coffee

Plate lunch

Restaurant

Sandwich place

Seafood 

Soul food

Steak

Sushi/Japanese

Take-out

Thai restaurant

Vegetarian options

Veggie burger

Wine list/wine selection

Urban Living

Animal shelter

Annual event

Art gallery

Barbershop

Beauty shop or salon

Boutique

Category we left off

Caterer

Dance studio

Day spa

Fitness center/gym

Flower shop

Kids' event

Liquor/wine store

Local bank or credit union

Local dealer for a new or used car

Locally owned business

Men's clothing store

Museum

Music festival

Place for a first date

Place for alterations

Place for unique gifts

Place to book a party or shower

Place to buy antiques

Place to buy books

Place to buy comics

Place to buy kid's clothes/toys

Place to get married

Place to get your car fixed

Place to work

Reason to live in Jackson

Tattoo/piercing parlor

Thrift/consignment shop

Tourist attraction

Veterinarian or vet clinic

Yoga studio

You must include your name, email address and a valid phone number with area code for your ballot to count.

Caution: We call many voters to check ballot authenticity. No fake phone numbers!

Name

Phone

Email

Mail ballot to the address below by Nov. 19, 2015:

Jackson Free Press

125 South Congress Street

Suite 1324

Jackson, MS 39201

"Best of Jackson" is a registered service mark in the state of Mississippi.