By Fatma Younis
The Mississippi Senate race remains unresolved as Democrat Scott Colom leads Republican incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by just 65 votes, with thousands of ballots still uncounted and both campaigns preparing for potential litigation.
Outstanding ballots could shift outcome
Both campaigns estimate "thousands" of ballots remain outstanding. Data from the Mississippi secretary of state's office shows about 6,000 mail ballots distributed but not returned as of Monday. Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day can be counted if received by 5 p.m. on Nov. 10. An unknown number of affidavit, or provisional, ballots also remain; these were issued to voters lacking proper ID or not listed on voter rolls.
Legal preparations underway
Colom, a local prosecutor, said his campaign has "an army of lawyers" ready to ensure the count follows the law. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Elias Law Group have staff on the ground. Hyde-Smith campaign manager Jake Monssen said the campaign is "closely monitoring the remaining count" and expects the incumbent to prevail. The National Republican Senatorial Committee pledged to ensure every lawful ballot is counted.
Voter issues reported
Mississippi Democratic Party executive director Mikell Bolden said the party's election hotline received around 2,000 calls on Tuesday from voters told to cast affidavit ballots despite believing they were registered. Bolden said the secretary of state's website crashed, preventing voters from checking their registration status. Party and campaign organizers are contacting affected voters to resolve issues by the Nov. 10 deadline.
Recount options limited
Mississippi law provides no mechanism for a statewide recount in a U.S. Senate race. Candidates can only challenge results county by county, filing intent to examine ballot boxes with each county clerk. With 82 counties and a Nov. 13 canvassing deadline, election law attorney Ben Griffith called that approach "beyond the scope of feasibility." The state legislature can hear challenges for local races but not for the U.S. Senate.
National implications
Democrats already hold a Senate majority without Mississippi, but flipping the seat would mark the party's reddest pickup and extend a string of Southern victories in Texas and South Carolina. National operatives from both parties have descended on the state as the count continues.
