In Mississippi, Colom stays ahead in the Senate race, a Democratic lawsuit in DeSoto County has been withdrawn
His lead over Senator Hyde-Smith stands at more than 1,100 votes on Thursday, the counties are counting mail-in and affidavit ballots until the deadline on 13 November.
In the Senate race in Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom remains ahead of Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. According to Scripps News, Colom led on Thursday by more than 1,100 votes, with just under one million ballots counted (published on 5 November 2026 at 17:42 CET). The news agency AP has not called the race. This is a preliminary interim count, not a final result.
According to Scripps, citing the office of the Secretary of State, up to 3,500 mail-in ballots are still outstanding. Not all of them are likely to arrive. The Magnolia Tribune, citing the same office, gives just under 3,600 (published 14:37 CET). There is still no official figure for the affidavit ballots. The Magnolia Tribune points to unconfirmed reports of up to 18,000, while Colom's team had spoken of more than 15,000. According to The Dispatch, voters who cast an affidavit ballot must present their ID to the Circuit Clerk within five days. The counties must certify their results by 13 November.
Lawsuit in DeSoto County. On election night, the Mississippi Democratic Party had asked the Circuit Court of DeSoto County for an injunction. This is reported by the Magnolia Tribune (published on 4 November at 16:14 CET). The party cited disruptions at several polling places and sought longer opening hours where necessary. Anyone in line at 19:00 local time (2:00 CET) should still be allowed to vote. Anyone who voted only thanks to an extension should receive an affidavit ballot. According to DeSoto County News, the party itself moved to dismiss the case on Wednesday morning, and the judge agreed. Neither report gives a reason. The allegations have therefore not been examined by a court.
In DeSoto County, according to DeSoto County News, with all 47 precincts reporting, Colom received 28,103 votes (51.8 percent) and Hyde-Smith 24,780 (45.7 percent).
Neither candidate has conceded. Mississippi has no automatic recount, only a court can order one. Mississippi is not one of the seven core races. The tally under Senate counts the seat for the Republicans, the race does not change the projected Democratic majority. More on how long it takes under counting.