As of Thursday afternoon, Scott Colom, the Democratic challenger in Mississippi’s Senate race, leads incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith by 1,813 votes, with fewer than 2,000 votes separating the candidates. This contest has prompted a notable presence of lawyers and campaign operatives at county election offices to observe the counting of ballots.
If successful, Colom would become Mississippi’s first Black senator since Reconstruction. The outcome of the race comes at a time when Democrats have made significant inroads across the country, but Mississippi and Alaska remain the only states without a declared winner in their Senate races.
Colom expressed optimism amid the tense atmosphere, stating, “I’m glad that the country is starting to see what Mississippi values look like and what Mississippi’s potential is,” during a press briefing in Jackson.
Hyde-Smith’s campaign remains confident, asserting via social media that she would “remain in the Senate” due to expectations of thousands of uncounted votes from Republican-leaning counties. The future of the race hinges on an unspecified number of affidavit ballots, cast by voters deemed inactive or lacking proper identification. Michael Watson, Mississippi’s secretary of state, noted approximately 3,300 absentee-by-mail ballots are also outstanding and must arrive within five business days following November 3 to be counted.
The process of counting ballots continues, with commissioners in Hinds County diligently working since early Thursday morning. Jermal Clark, a commissioner, emphasized the importance of thoroughness in the counting process, likening their approach to being congested but procedurally sound.
On the Republican side, legal representatives have mobilized quickly. They requested election commissioners protect and preserve all affidavit ballots, prompting Colom’s legal team to respond that this request could result in unlawful voter identification measures. Mike Hurst, chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, remarked on the unprecedented number of affidavit ballots and reiterated the party’s readiness to pursue any necessary legal action should evidence of law violations arise.
Interest in the race has been heightened, with some attributing the rise in affidavit ballots to new voter roll maintenance efforts launched by the secretary of state’s office. Changes including the labeling of registered voters with new addresses as “inactive” have compelled some to cast affidavit ballots this election cycle.
Cassandra Welchlin, executive director of the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable, revealed her organization is working to ensure all votes are counted, by providing transportation for voters and launching awareness campaigns about following up on their ballots.
Colom’s campaign has focused on energizing the state’s Black voters while appealing to disenchanted conservatives and white Democrats. Hyde-Smith secured over $1 million in late campaign contributions from national groups and received support from President Trump at a rally in Corinth.
Ballot counting is ongoing, with counties required to certify election results by November 13. Mississippi law does not allow for recounts in statewide elections, which may add to the pressure as both campaigns navigate this closely contested race.
