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Mississippi’s closely watched election is approaching a decisive moment, with Democrat Scott Colom holding a 2,574-vote advantage over Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.
According to Associated Press figures reported by NBC News, Colom had 467,930 votes, representing 49.1% of the total. Hyde-Smith followed with 465,356 votes, or 48.8%, with approximately 97% of expected votes counted.
However, the race remains uncalled. Counties are still processing affidavit and mail ballots following the Nov. 3 election. Mississippi must certify the results by Nov. 13.
If Colom wins, he would become the state’s first Black U.S. senator since Reconstruction. He would also deliver the state’s first Democratic Senate victory in more than 40 years.
The remaining ballots could change the outcome
NBC News estimates that approximately 31,000 votes remain. Hyde-Smith would need roughly 53.2% of those ballots to overtake Colom.
As of Friday, election officials had processed 9,242 affidavit ballots, while 3,139 mail ballots remained outstanding. Additionally, voters have until Nov. 10 to resolve identification issues affecting their affidavit ballots.
Mail ballots also remain eligible if they carry an Election Day postmark and arrive within five business days.
Mississippi does not provide an automatic recount process. According to the secretary of state’s office, candidates cannot simply request another count. A court challenge remains a possible route for contesting the outcome.
Both campaigns prepare for the next move
Hyde-Smith’s campaign has asked election officials to separate provisional ballots from regular and absentee ballots. The request has raised expectations of a possible legal challenge.
Meanwhile, Colom’s campaign has criticized the move and says it has legal support ready. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has also sent additional campaign and legal assistance to Mississippi, according to Punchbowl News.
Hyde-Smith maintains that her team will monitor the remaining ballots. She says she expects to prevail once officials count every legally cast vote.
A political history connects the candidates
The contest carries an unusual history. In 2023, President Joe Biden nominated Colom for a federal judgeship in Mississippi’s Northern District. Hyde-Smith used her home-state senator’s authority to block his confirmation hearing.
Now, three years later, Colom holds the advantage in their election contest.
Colom previously made history in 2015 when he became the first Black district attorney elected in a majority-white voting district in Mississippi.
Hyde-Smith also made history as the first woman to represent Mississippi in Congress. She won her Senate seat in 2018 and has President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Independent candidate Ty Pinkins could also have influenced the close result. He received 20,028 votes, nearly eight times Colom’s current margin. Pinkins believes he attracted more support from Hyde-Smith than Colom and has expressed hope that Colom wins.
Why Colom’s campaign carries historical weight
Black residents account for nearly 40% of Mississippi’s population, the highest proportion of any state. The state elected Hiram Revels as the first Black U.S. senator in 1870. Blanche K. Bruce followed him several years later.
According to exit polls, Black voters represented 31% of the electorate and supported Colom by 97%. Black women backed him by 99%.
On Friday, Colom visited Jackson’s historic Farish Street district, where civil rights leaders once organized. Residents welcomed him despite the unresolved election.
The remaining ballots and the Nov. 10 affidavit deadline now stand between Colom and a potentially historic victory. Mississippi’s certification deadline follows on Nov. 13.
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