Mississippi voters head to polls November 3 for Senate and House seats

Voters across Mississippi head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, casting ballots in an election cycle featuring a tightly contested U.S. Senate race, all four U.S. House seats, legislative special elections, and critical local contests, clarionledger.com reported.

The Battle for the U.S. Senate

At the top of the ballot, Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith faces a competitive challenge from Democratic district attorney Scott Colom. Independent candidate Ty Pinkins also enters the contest, raising the prospect of a spoiler effect in a race that polls indicate is tight.

National party figures have traveled to Mississippi in recent days to rally support. Former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned alongside Colom at Columbus High School on Thursday, October 22, 2026, telling the crowd that Mississippi matters. Meanwhile, Senator Hyde-Smith appeared with Donald Trump at Crossroads Arena in Corinth on Monday, October 26, 2026.

The state’s senior senator, Republican Roger Wicker, is not up for election this cycle.

All Four U.S. House Seats on the Ballot

Every two years, Mississippi’s four congressional seats come up for election, and the 2026 cycle brings distinct challenges across the districts.

In District 1, covering the northeastern corner of the state, Republican incumbent Representative Trent Kelly is the longest-tenured Republican in Mississippi’s U.S. House delegation. He faces challenges from Democratic candidate Cliff Johnson, a Lafayette County lawyer and faculty member at the University of Mississippi School of Law, and Libertarian Johnny Baucom, an environmental health and safety technician.

District 2 features Representative Bennie Thompson, the dean of all Mississippi Congressmen, who has represented the Jackson-area district for more than 30 years across 16 full terms. Anticipated redistricting means this cycle likely marks his final bid under current voting district maps. He faces Republican physician Ron Eller and Independent Bennie Foster.

In District 3, incumbent Michael Guest, who serves as chair of the House Committee on Ethics and has held the seat since 2018, runs against Democratic farmer and entrepreneur Michael Chiaradio and Libertarian property management worker Erik Kiehle.

District 4 in South Mississippi features Representative Mike Ezell facing Democratic candidate Jeffrey Hulum III and Carl Boyanton, a Republican-turned-Independent candidate.

Legislative Special Elections and Local Decisions

Tate Reeves called a pair of special elections for November 3 to fill vacancies left by the deaths of sitting lawmakers. In Mississippi House District 70, three candidates compete to fill the seat left vacant following the June 8 death of Representative Bo Brown: his widow, Imelda Brown, businessman Marcus Cheatham, and Clinton alderman James Lott III. In District 77, covering southern Rankin County and northern Simpson County, voters will elect a new representative.

Mississippi voters head to polls November 3 for Senate and House seats — Photo: yahoo.com

Hinds County voters also consider a tourism tax proposal to raise funding for Visit Jackson, requiring 60% approval to pass.

Madison County features several nonpartisan judicial and school board contests, highlighted by a contested Chancery Court District 11 race pitting incumbent Cynthia Lee Brewer against Rhonda Cecilia Cooper.