JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI — The unresolved Mississippi Senate race has turned into a legal and procedural fight over thousands of affidavit ballots that could determine whether Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith keeps her seat or Democrat Scott Colom pulls off a historic upset.
As of Friday, Colom held a razor-thin lead of roughly 49.0% to Hyde-Smith’s 48.8%, with 12,000 to 20,000 affidavit ballots still awaiting eligibility review, according to Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson.
Hyde-Smith’s attorneys have asked election officials in all 82 counties to preserve and separately handle those ballots while challenges are considered. Colom’s campaign argues that request is not authorized by state law and could result in inconsistent treatment from county to county.
Affidavit ballots are cast when a voter’s eligibility cannot immediately be confirmed and require additional verification before they are counted. They are not automatically invalid.
The stakes are unusually high. Mississippi does not provide an automatic recount for statewide races, though candidates can challenge ballots in court. Counties must certify their results by Nov. 13.
The Associated Press has not called the contest. If elected, Colom would become Mississippi’s first Black U.S. senator since Reconstruction-era Republican Blanche Bruce left office in 1881.
With Democrats already controlling the Senate, the Mississippi result could further expand their majority.
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