Mississippi election officials face scrutiny over affidavit ballots in tight Senate race

Confusion is mounting among Mississippi voters who cast affidavit ballots in the recent election, with concerns that their votes may not be counted without additional action, WTVA reported. More than 10,000 voters were removed from the rolls before the election and instructed to vote by affidavit, but officials clarified that not all affidavit voters need to take further steps to have their ballots counted.

Some voters, like Jada Ward, experienced uncertainty when checking their ballot status online, which had not yet been updated. The Lee County Circuit Clerk’s Office confirmed to Ward and reporters that her affidavit ballot will be counted, explaining that the verification process is ongoing and that online records may not be current due to the large volume of affidavit ballots to review, according to WTVA.

Meanwhile, the Senate race between Democrat Scott Colom and Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith remains extremely close, with Colom leading by under 2,000 votes as reported by The Hill. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has demanded that Mississippi election officials preserve affidavit ballots and related materials to ensure verification of ballot eligibility and disposition.

Mississippi election procedures involve county-level officials managing the counting process, with counties having up to 10 days post-election to certify results, the Mississippi Secretary of State told The Hill. Approximately 3,600 outstanding ballots could still influence the outcome if received on time. The state does not have an automatic recount or a formal process for candidates to request one in close races.

Colom’s campaign criticized the NRSC’s letter as a "desperate stunt," reflecting the tension surrounding the tight race and the handling of affidavit ballots. The ongoing ballot verification and certification process is expected to continue through the coming week, with election officials emphasizing the importance of preserving all affidavit ballots for transparency and accuracy.