Why the Race Stayed Uncalled

Mississippi's US Senate race remained uncalled two days after the November 3, 2026 midterm elections because thousands of absentee and provisional ballots had not yet been counted. Democrat Scott Colom held a narrow lead over Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith, and officials said the outcome might not be known for several more days. The race drew national attention because Democrats had already won Senate control, making this the last contest that could change the size of their majority.

The Latest Vote Tally

As of 7:12 p.m. Eastern Time on November 5, 2026, the New York Times reported Colom with 464,926 votes, or 49.01 percent, and Hyde-Smith with 463,788 votes, or 48.89 percent. Independent candidate Ty Pinkins stood at 19,934 votes, about 2.10 percent, bringing the total reported to 948,648 votes. That put Colom ahead by 1,138 votes, with about 96 percent of the expected vote counted.

A Margin That Kept Moving

The lead changed repeatedly as batches of ballots arrived. NBC News had Colom ahead by just 65 votes on November 4, while Decision Desk HQ had him up by a little more than 2,000 earlier that morning. Colom moved ahead of Hyde-Smith between the 37 percent and 95 percent marks, turning a 2.8-point deficit into roughly a 0.1-point lead.

Why the Count Was Slower

Officials said the delay was not a sign of a problem but a reflection of how ballots are verified. According to WLBT on November 4, 2026, 70 of Mississippi's 82 counties had uploaded unofficial results. About 3,600 mail-in absentee ballots were outstanding, along with an unknown number of affidavit ballots.

Absentee and Provisional Ballots

Two categories of ballots explain most of the uncertainty. Absentee ballots are mailed in, while affidavit ballots are cast provisionally when a voter's eligibility or identity cannot be confirmed at the polling place. Both must be checked before they can be added to the totals. Estimates of the total uncounted ranged from roughly 3,600 absentee-by-mail ballots to about 20,000 when affidavit and provisional ballots were included.

The November 10 Deadline

Mississippi's deadlines shape how long the count can run. Mail ballots had to be received by 5 p.m. on November 10, 2026, and affidavit voters who lacked acceptable photo identification had until the same date to show it. Counties then had to certify their results by November 13, 2026.

Certification and the Ten-Day Window

State law lets election officials take up to ten days to certify results, which is why the race could stay uncalled past election week. WLBT reported that clerks have ten days to certify, with a deadline of November 13. Until certification, the totals remain unofficial and can change as more ballots are verified.

No Runoff, No Routine Recount

Mississippi does not use a runoff in a regular federal general election, so the candidate with the most votes wins even without a majority. The state also has no automatic recount and no recount that a candidate can request on their own. The Guardian reported that Mississippi has no law allowing a candidate to initiate a recount; only a court can order one.

What the Campaigns Said

Because the margin was so small, both campaigns looked ahead to possible legal steps. Colom said his campaign was prepared to litigate if needed. CBS News quoted him saying, "The results are all trending in our direction." Republican analyst Henry Barbour said the outstanding ballots would likely decide the race.

The National Stakes

The national picture gave the race extra weight. Democrats had won Senate control, with flips giving them at least a 54 to 44 majority. Alaska and Mississippi were the only Senate races still uncalled, leaving open the possibility of a 56 to 44 Democratic majority.

Mississippi's Other Federal Races

In Mississippi's four House races, Republicans won three and Democrats won one, according to NPR. That split showed the state's federal results were not uniform. It also meant the Senate contest was the one remaining Mississippi race that could shift the national balance further.

A Possible Historical First

If Colom wins, he would be the first African American elected to the US Senate from Mississippi since Reconstruction. That historical first is one reason the uncalled race drew attention beyond the state. The outcome depends on the ballots still being verified, not on any further statewide vote.

A Bigger Democratic Night

The wider 2026 midterms produced sweeping Democratic gains in Congress, and President Trump was reported to be showcasing a ballroom project at the same time. The Straits Times described Democrats savouring big wins while the Senate map remained partly open. Mississippi and Alaska were the two Senate races left without a call.

How Small the Margin Is

Small shifts in the remaining ballots could change who leads, given the roughly 1,100-vote margin and the estimate of up to about 20,000 ballots still out. The exact number of outstanding affidavit ballots was not known, which adds uncertainty. Officials said the outcome may not be known for several more days.

Why the Numbers Differed

The numbers moved during the day because different outlets updated at different times. NBC News reported Colom up by 65 votes on November 4, while Decision Desk HQ had him up by a bit over 2,000 earlier that morning. The tally from the New York Times at 7:12 p.m. Eastern Time on November 5 showed a 1,138-vote lead, and the Guardian reported the same margin with almost 96 percent counted.

What Happens After Certification

Once the county certification deadline of November 13, 2026 passed, the results would become official unless a court intervened. Because Mississippi has no automatic recount, a losing candidate would need a court order to force one. That makes the remaining ballot verification the main process that could still change the outcome.

How to Read the Updates

For anyone following the race, the reliable measure is the certified county total, not the rolling tallies that change as batches come in. The New York Times, the Guardian, CBS News, WLBT and WXXV25 all reported the same broad picture on November 5, 2026: Colom narrowly ahead, most votes counted, and key deadlines still ahead.

What the Rules Require

Mississippi's rules explain why an election can stay open for days without a recount being triggered. Mail ballots received by the November 10 deadline count, but only after verification. Affidavit voters have the same date to resolve identification issues, and counties then certify by November 13.

Why It Was Trending

The race was trending because it combined a very narrow margin, a slow verification process, and national consequences for Senate control. As of November 5, 2026, Colom led by about 1,138 votes with roughly 96 percent counted, and thousands of absentee and affidavit ballots were still being processed. Whether the lead holds depends on those remaining ballots and on the certification deadline of November 13, 2026.