Introduction

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has escalated its involvement in Mississippi's closely watched Senate race, demanding that election officials preserve affidavit ballots as the contest between Democrat Scott Colom and Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith remains too close to call.

What Happened

In a letter sent to election commissioners across all 82 Mississippi counties, NRSC attorneys requested that county officials separate, document, and preserve all affidavit ballots and associated materials. This move comes as the race sits under 2,000 votes, with Decision Desk HQ reporting Democrat Scott Colom leading Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by a narrow margin.

Federal law already requires election records be maintained for 22 months in federal races. Mississippi allows mail ballots to arrive up to five days post-Election Day if postmarked on Election Day. The state's counting process occurs at the county level, with certified results due to the secretary of state by November 13.

Why This Matters

The NRSC's demand signals a potential legal pathway to challenge ballot disposition if the margin remains slim. Preserving affidavit ballots ensures each vote's eligibility can be verified, though Mississippi has no automatic recount provision, meaning a candidate would need to initiate a manual request.

Colom's campaign swiftly pushed back, calling the NRSC's letter a desperate stunt and expressing confidence that lawful ballots will secure his victory. A Colom win would be historic, as no Democrat has carried a U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi since 1982, and the state has not elected a Black senator since Reconstruction.

Key Takeaways

  • The NRSC has formally asked Mississippi counties to preserve affidavit ballots and related election documents.
  • The Senate race between Colom and Hyde-Smith is decided by under 2,000 votes, keeping it officially too close to call.
  • Mississippi's county-level counting process and lack of automatic recount provisions could extend the timeline.
  • Mail ballots postmarked on Election Day can arrive up to five days later, potentially affecting the final count.
  • Colom's campaign denounces the NRSC's move as a desperate attempt to influence an already tight race.

Conclusion

As Mississippi waits for certified results and potential late-arriving mail ballots, the NRSC's ballot preservation demand adds another layer of uncertainty to a race already decided by a razor-thin margin. Whether this translates into legal action remains to be seen, but the move underscores the high stakes of the contest for control of the U.S. Senate.