Mississippi polls open at 7 a.m. for Senate, House, local races

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday in Mississippi, voters will decide races up and down the ballot, including a U.S. Senate contest, all four U.S. House seats and local judgeships.

Polls close at 7 p.m. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. can still cast a ballot. Voters must bring a valid photo ID. WLBT will have live coverage of the results.

Senate race

Democrat Scott Colom and Independent Ty Pinkins are looking to unseat Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.

Senate candidates made final campaign pushes ahead of the vote. Hyde-Smith, the incumbent, met with Pascagoula shipbuilders during campaign stops along the Coast. Colom held a three-county rally blitz across Lauderdale, Kemper and Noxubee counties. Pinkins also met with voters.

Voters also will choose their U.S. representative and their Mississippi House of Representatives member.

Absentee voting

Updated numbers from the Secretary of State’s office show more than 116,000 absentee ballots have been logged. That is more than double the count in the 2022 midterm election.

The chairmen of both parties commented on turnout.

“This president can generate that kind of momentum, that kind of enthusiasm like no other president we’ve ever seen... And I think, again, that’s why you’re seeing a big turnout, not just in absentee ballots right now, but I think you’ll have a larger turnout in the midterm tomorrow,” one chairman said.

“This is one of the first times that in midterms that it’s been so popular. Usually, during presidential elections is where you see all of the momentum and the heat. But you cannot go to a Scott Colom rally and not see the energy, feel the energy. People are turning out left and right because they believe that they’re in trouble right now,” the other chairman said.

What’s on the ballot locally

Hinds County voters will elect a district attorney in a special election. Five candidates are on the ballot: Gwen Agho, Greta Mack Harris, Darla Palmer, Marvin Sanders and Wendy Wilson White.

The winner will replace Brad McCullouch, who stepped into the role temporarily after former District Attorney Jody Owens resigned.

Two judge seats are also on the Hinds County ballot.

Voters will decide whether to increase the City of Jackson’s tourism tax. If it passes, the hotel room tax goes up by 1 percent, and the restaurant tax goes up by half a percent.

In Madison and Rankin counties, voters will choose Chancery, Circuit and County judges and school board members, in addition to the statewide races.

Voter concerns

Some voters said groceries, gas and everyday necessities are becoming harder to afford. Younger voters said they are concerned about housing costs and whether they will be able to afford a home after graduation. Others said education, crime and access to fresh food are important issues. Some voters also cited roads, justice and public safety.

Political experts said frustration with the economy does not necessarily mean voters will change party affiliations. Some may not vote at all.

“People are disenchanted right now. And they can either, you know, be driven to vote, or it can drive them away from voting,” said Dr. Deandre Orey of Jackson State University. “And what I mean by driving away from voting is that it can impact Republicans, whereby there are some Republicans who are hurting enough based on the economic crisis that we’ve experienced.”

Voting information

Voters who are unsure where to vote can check their voter registration card. Acceptable photo ID includes a valid driver’s license, a passport or a valid military ID.

The voter information guide on the Secretary of State’s website lists more forms of acceptable ID. It is under the “Y’all Vote” section. More information is available at sos.ms.gov.

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