Election Day is here, and registered voters across Mississippi are heading to the polls to cast their ballots in this year’s elections.
Five congressional seats headline the races, 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 several judicial races and special elections.
To make the voting process as seamless as possible, we’ve put together this guide on what to know before heading to the polls.
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.
What will turnout look like?
Turnout in the 2022 midterms saw around 709,000 ballots cast, representing 32.5% of registered voters at the time. Of those, 49,630, or about 7%, were absentee ballots.
While turnout for the 2026 midterms will be unknown until all ballots are counted, the total number of absentee ballots received by circuit clerks as of Monday was at 122,590, more than doubling the 2022 total.
Who’s on the ballot?
The most-anticipated race 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.
All four of the state’s U.S. House seats are also contested.
In the 1st Congressional District, incumbent Republican Trent Kelly is being challenged by Democrat Cliff Johnson and Libertarian Johnny Baucom.
In the 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Bennie Thompson is seeking an 18th term and being challenged by Republican Ron Eller and independent Bennie Foster.
In the 3rd Congressional District, incumbent Republican Michael Guest is being challenged by Democrat Michael Chiaradio and Libertarian Erik Kiehle.
In the 4th Congressional District, incumbent Republican Mike Ezell is being challenged by Democrat Jeffrey Hulum III and independent Carl Boyanton.
READ MORE: Meet the candidates running for U.S. Senate, House in Mississippi
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.
