Mississippi Senate race remains too close to call as votes are still counted
Nearly 2,500 votes separate Democrat Scott Colom and Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde‑Smith, and about 30,000 ballots remain uncounted, leaving the race undecided after the November 5 election.
Key points
- Margin between Colom and Hyde‑Smith is 2,500 votes.
- Approximately 30,000 votes still uncounted as of 4:45 p.m. ET.
- Affidavit and absentee ballots are being processed in Hinds, Rankin and other counties.
- Both campaigns expect a win once all ballots are tallied.
- Legal teams are preparing for potential post‑count actions.
Nearly 2,500 votes separate Democrat Scott Colom and Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde‑Smith in the Mississippi U.S. Senate race, and votes are still being counted.
The Associated Press estimates that about 30,000 votes remain outstanding as of 4:45 p.m. ET on Friday, down from an earlier estimate of roughly 44,000.
Thousands of affidavit and absentee ballots continue to be processed across the state, including in larger counties such as Hinds and Rankin.
Because the margin is within the range of uncounted ballots, the race remains undecided days after the November 5, 2026, election, and no winner has been declared.
Both campaigns have indicated confidence in a victory once all ballots are tallied, while legal teams on each side prepare for potential post‑count actions.
Your questions, answered
How many votes separate the candidates in the Mississippi Senate race?
Nearly 2,500 votes separate Democrat Scott Colom and Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde‑Smith.
How many votes remain uncounted in the race?
About 30,000 votes remain outstanding as of 4:45 p.m. ET.
What is the status of the election result?
The race remains undecided because the margin is within the range of uncounted ballots.
How does this story make you feel?
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