Scott Colom Leads in Razor-Close Mississippi Senate Race Against Cindy Hyde-Smith

As election workers continued tallying votes in his exceptionally tight contest against Republican incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Scott Colom was brought within striking distance of a momentous Senate victory thanks to the efforts of Black organizers in the Mississippi Delta, KATV reported.

According to figures released Sunday morning by the Associated Press, Colom held a 2,574-vote advantage over Hyde-Smith, having secured 467,930 votes compared to her 465,356. About 97% of votes were counted, and absentee and provisional ballots could still affect the outcome.

Working in Holmes County, canvasser Kameisha Smith alongside a team of organizers managed to register 283 voters, transported residents directly to polling sites, and assisted individuals in resolving problems with their ballots. Turnout rose, and late-counted votes put Colom ahead in the county by 28 votes, according to KATV.

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The remaining ballots include absentee ballots and provisional ballots, known in Mississippi as affidavit ballots. Some affidavit ballots require voters to resolve identification or registration issues before they can be counted.

Qualifying absentee ballots can arrive through Tuesday, Nov. 10. Voters who cast affidavit ballots because of an ID issue have until then to provide identification. Counties must certify results by Nov. 13.

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The review has also revealed barriers to voting. The Post reported that some ballots were rejected over late registration forms, eligibility rules, or missing identification. Smith said she was removed from the rolls after an address change.

If Colom wins, he would become the first Black U.S. senator elected from Mississippi since Reconstruction. Though Black residents make up nearly 40% of the state’s population, their representation at the highest levels of government has historically been restricted.

Scott Colom Leads in Razor-Close Mississippi Senate Race Against Cindy Hyde-Smith — Photo: abc45.com

Because Democrats have already secured a majority in the Senate, the final outcome of this contest will not alter the chamber’s balance of power.

Should either campaign wish to challenge the outcome or request a recount, judicial intervention would be mandatory, allowing for legal battles to be initiated on a county-by-county basis.

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Earlier in the week, as WLBT reported, Democratic challenger Scott Colom declared confidence Wednesday morning in Mississippi’s uncalled U.S. Senate race, telling supporters he believes outstanding ballots will carry him to victory over incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.

“Where we are, where the ballots are, we’re gonna win,” Colom said as he addressed supporters at a 10 a.m. news conference. “This is our election. We’ve won it. The people have done it. They’ve decided to go in a new direction. I’m confident of that.”

Since Mississippi’s federal general elections do not feature runoff votes, whoever secures a plurality of the ballots will ultimately capture the seat.