The Aporia · National Republican Senatorial Committee asks Mississippi to preserve affidavit ballots

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has requested that Mississippi election officials preserve all provisional ballots and associated documents as the race between incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Scott Colom remains tight, with only 3,600 outstanding votes out of more than 96% counted. Attorneys for Hyde-Smith specifically asked for affidavit ballots to be separated and documented separately to verify their eligibility. This request comes as Mississippi allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to still count if received within five days afterward.

Written by AI on 2026-11-09, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

As of November 6, 2026, Democratic candidate Scott Colom extended his lead in the closely contested Mississippi Senate race against incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, with a current advantage of just over 1,800 votes. Initially, the margin was much narrower, separating by fewer than 30 ballots as 97% of the vote was counted on November 4. However, due to outstanding mail and provisional ballots known as "affidavit ballots" in Mississippi, the exact number of remaining votes is unknown, potentially affecting the final outcome. Democratic heavyweights like former California Governor Gavin Newsom are soliciting emergency donations, while Republican strategists are preparing for legal battles over any uncounted ballots. The race has garnered national attention as a pivotal contest in the larger political landscape, with losing traditionally red Mississippi being seen as significant by both parties.

Written for “Mississippi Senate Race Uncertainty Continues” on 2026-11-09, grounded in this article and the 29 other(s) covering the same event.

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Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson also noted Wednesday that the ballot counting could take longer because counties have until 10 days after the election to send its certified results.

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“Since Mississippi is a bottom-up state, circuit clerks and election commissioners run elections at the county level … counties have 10 days from the date of the election to submit their certified results to our office, which is November 13,” Watson said in a statement.

framing: mixed · carried by 3 article(s) · first seen 2026-11-06

Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson also noted Wednesday that the ballot counting could take longer because counties have until 10 days after the election to send its certified results.

2026-11-06 · Just The News

National Republican Senatorial Committee asks Mississippi to preserve affidavit ballots · mixed framing

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National Republican Senatorial Committee asks Mississippi to preserve affidavit ballots · mixed framing

2026-11-09 · Just The News

National Republican Senatorial Committee asks Mississippi to preserve affidavit ballots · mixed framing

National Republican Senatorial Committee asks Mississippi to preserve affidavit ballots asserted

Committee → ask → ballots

Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is seeking another term in the upper chamber but trailed Democrat Scott Colom at the time of the publishing, with 96% of the vote counted. asserted

% → seek → vote

The National Republican Senatorial Committee asked Mississippi election officials on Thursday to preserve all election documents and all provisional ballots as the state's Senate race remains too close to call. asserted

race → ask → documents

Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is seeking another term in the upper chamber but trailed Democrat Scott Colom at the time of the publishing, with 96% of the vote counted, according to the Associated Press. uncertain

% → seek → Press

Attorneys for the senator asked the election commissioners in all 82 counties to separate out the affidavit, also called provisional, ballots, document their disposition and preserve “all associated materials," according to the NRSC. “These measures are necessary to ensure that each affidavit ballot’s eligibility for counting and ultimate disposition can be verified,” the letter reads. uncertain

letter → ask → counting

Federal law already mandates that election records be maintained in federal races for 22 months after the election. asserted

records → mandate → election

The request comes as ballots in Mississippi can still be counted if they arrive within five days of the election and are postmarked by Election Day, which was Tuesday. asserted

which → come → Day

Mississippi's Secretary of State said they are waiting to see whether the 3,600 outstanding ballots arrive in time. asserted

ballots → say → time

Colom only leads Hyde-Smith by just under 2,000 votes. asserted

Colom → lead → votes

Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson also noted Wednesday that the ballot counting could take longer because counties have until 10 days after the election to send its certified results. uncertain

counties → note → results

Watson → bottom → statement

“Until we have the certified results, the individual counties will be the best source of the latest and most up-to-date information.” asserted

counties → have → information

Colom's potential victory in the state would be a surprise given Mississippi's deep red history and he would be the first Democratic senator from the state since the 1980s, according to The Hill. uncertain

he → give → Hill

National Republican Senatorial Committee asks Mississippi to preserve affidavit ballots

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