Hinds County Ballots Could Determine Mississippi Senate Race Winner

Outstanding ballots from Hinds County could determine the winner of a narrow U.S. Senate contest between Democrat Scott Colom and Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, Colom held a 2,604-vote lead over Hyde-Smith. However, with approximately 97% of the vote counted, the race has not yet been called.

The uncertainty centers on the processing of affidavit ballots and late-arriving mail-in absentee ballots. Tuesday at 5 p.m. marked the deadline for voters who cast affidavit ballots due to photo identification issues to “cure” those ballots by presenting valid ID to their local circuit clerks.

Mississippi Senate Race: Hinds and DeSoto, the Two Big Counties Still Counting

Hinds County, the state’s largest county and a known Democratic stronghold, is expected to upload the results of its outstanding affidavit ballots on Wednesday, according to an attorney for the county.

While counties have until Friday to transmit official results to Secretary of State Michael Watson’s office, the focus remains on the manual processing of thousands of remaining affidavit ballots by election commissioners across the state.

Both candidates maintain they have a mathematical route to victory.

Hyde-Smith, who returned to Washington on Monday, told the media on Tuesday that she was “feeling very optimistic” about winning reelection, though she did not provide specific details regarding the math behind that confidence.

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Colom addressed the situation during an event thanking Hinds County Sheriff’s Department deputies on Tuesday.

“The reality is she can’t point to a direction where she has a possibility to win, right?” Colom said of Hyde-Smith. “If she thinks she truly has the ability to win, explain how.”

Colom expressed belief that once the remaining Hinds County ballots are reported, the results will be sufficient to declare him the winner.

Votes still being counted in Mississippi Senate race

As commissioners process ballots by hand, legal teams and advocacy groups are closely watching the proceedings. Max Meyers, an attorney with the NAACP, noted on Monday that he had not observed major issues with how commissioners are handling the ballots.

“I haven’t had to send any angry letters, which has been great,” Meyers said. “I haven’t had to set foot in a courtroom, which is lovely.”

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Mike Hurst, chairman of the Mississippi GOP and general counsel to the Republican National Committee, previously stated that the party is prepared to “fight like hell” to ensure every legal ballot is counted and will use “every legal resource” available.

Colom has stated that Hyde-Smith needs to “accept the will of the voters,” but he also noted his own readiness to litigate if necessary.

Hinds County Ballots Could Determine Mississippi Senate Race Winner

The legal landscape for a challenge remains complex. Mississippi does not have a recount law, and the state’s statutes do not provide a clear, established process for challenging the results of a general election for a state office.

Official election results must be submitted to the Secretary of State by Friday.