Months and months of campaigning by dozens of candidates come to a close Tuesday as Mississippians head to the polls to cast their ballots in this year’s elections.
Five congressional races headline Election Day, including one of Mississippi’s two U.S. Senate seats and all four of the state’s U.S. House seats. Voters will also decide on a number of judicial races, along with several special elections.
As you prepare to head to the polls, here’s what to know.
Who can vote?
Any registered voter may participate in the elections. The deadline to register or update voter registration information was Oct. 5. Sample ballots can be found here.
When are polls open?
Polls statewide are open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Any registered voter in line before 7 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot. Polling locations can be verified here.
What to bring to the polls
Voters should bring an acceptable form of photo identification with them. Acceptable forms include driver’s licenses and passports.
Voters who arrive at the polls without an acceptable form of photo ID may cast an affidavit ballot. However, they must present a photo ID at their local circuit clerk’s office within the days following the election for their votes to count.
What to leave at home
Voters may bring cell phones inside polling locations but are prohibited from using them to photograph marked ballots.
Campaigning is prohibited within 150 feet of a polling place entrance, except on private property. Thus, don’t bring signs and flyers for your candidates of choice and set up outside the door. Voters also may not display campaign materials, including clothing or other apparel, that promote or oppose a candidate while at the polls.
Is it too late to vote absentee?
The final day to vote absentee in person was Oct. 31. For those voting absentee by mail, ballots must be postmarked on or by Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to count.
Eligible reasons for voting absentee include but are not limited to being out of town on Election Day, working during polling hours, or being 65 years or older.
Who’s on the ballot?
The most-anticipated race of the cycle in Mississippi is for U.S. Senate. Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith faces off against Democrat Scott Colom and independent Ty Pinkins. Hyde-Smith, the state’s former agriculture commissioner, is seeking a second full term. Colom is a Columbus-based district attorney, and Pinkins is a Vicksburg attorney and Army veteran.
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Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., talks before President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Crossroads Arena, in Corinth, Miss., Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) -
Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Scott Colom, center, speaks with an attendee of a voting rights town hall at the historic Farish Street Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Sarah Warnock, File) -
Ty Pinkins speaks about his campaign for U.S. Senate during a news conference at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Jan. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
All four of the state’s U.S. House seats are contested:
- 1st Congressional District: Republican incumbent Rep. Trent Kelly is being challenged by civil rights attorney and University of Mississippi School of Law MacArthur Justice Center director Cliff Johnson, who is running as a Democrat. Libertarian Johnny Baucom is also running.
- 2nd Congressional District: Democratic incumbent Rep. Bennie Thompson is seeking an 18th term after first being elected in 1993. He will face Republican Ron Eller, a physician assistant in Jackson, and independent Bennie Foster. Foster works as the chief operating officer at a Jackson church.
- 3rd Congressional District: Republican incumbent Rep. Michael Guest is being challenged by political newcomer and regenerative farmer Michael Chiaradio, who is running as a Democrat. Erik Kiehle, a property manager and volunteer firefighter from Meridian, is running as a Libertarian.
- 4th Congressional District: Republican incumbent Rep. Mike Ezell, the newest of Mississippi’s delegation, is seeking a second term. He will face Democratic state lawmaker Jeffrey Hulum III and independent Carl Boyanton, a local produce farmer.
Voters across the state will also see judicial races on their ballots, including contested races for Mississippi Court of Appeals, Chancery Court, Circuit Court, and County Court.
There will be special elections for two Mississippi House seats in District 70 (portions of Hinds County) and District 77 (portions of Rankin and Simpson counties). Also in Hinds County, five candidates are running in a special election to replace former District Attorney Jody Owens, who resigned after pleading guilty as part of a corruption scandal.
How to track results on Election Night
To follow live results after the polls close, tune in to SuperTalk Mississippi News on participating stations statewide or visit supertalk.fm/elections for trackers and written recaps. Live updates will be posted on Facebook and X.
