Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race is still unresolved four days after voters cast their ballots on November 4. The contest between incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde‑Smith and Democratic challenger Scott Colom remains too close to call, as election officials continue to process the remaining absentee and provisional ballots.
Current vote count
As of Saturday, election data shows that about 97% of the total votes have been tallied. At that point, Colom holds a lead of roughly 2,500 votes over Hyde‑Smith. The margin is narrow enough that the final certification, due by Friday, Nov. 13, could still swing either way.
Candidate reactions
Colom expressed confidence in his campaign’s ability to secure the seat. “This is the commitment I made to the voters when I was out campaigning,” he said. “I’m not going to stop showing up, listening, letting people know I care about them.” He also noted that his team has assembled an “army of lawyers” to ensure every eligible vote is counted and that election officials are not intimidated.
Hyde‑Smith, speaking to WLBT, emphasized that her campaign will not concede until the process is complete. “We are not backing down. This election is not over,” she said. “Our team is working across Mississippi to monitor the remaining ballots and protect the integrity of the process. We will see this through to the very end.”
Ballot verification process
Mississippi’s election officials are reviewing thousands of ballots that require additional verification, including absentee and provisional ballots. Kidada Brown of the Hinds County Election Commission explained that each ballot must be examined to determine eligibility. “We have to go through each one to determine whether they are eligible for their ballot to be accepted or rejected,” Brown said. “So we’re just asking people to be patient with us. We’re working hard.”
Some voters were turned away on Election Day due to verification issues, a situation the commissions are working to resolve. The state does not allow early voting, which has contributed to the high volume of ballots needing review after the election.
What’s next?
Mississippi is one of only two states—along with Alaska—still awaiting final results. The Secretary of State’s office will continue to certify the remaining ballots through the Nov. 13 deadline. Once certified, the winner will assume office in January 2027.
Both campaigns have urged supporters to remain patient and trust the verification process. As the count nears completion, the focus remains on ensuring that every eligible Mississippian’s vote is counted accurately and that the final outcome reflects the will of the electorate.
Original reporting: Action News 5 WMC (Gray) — read the source article.
