The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Nov. 13, 2026
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November 12, 2026 12:19 pmJACKSON, MS — Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race, with the top two candidates separated by less than 4700 votes, was called for Democrat Scott Colom late November 11th with 99% of votes counted. Colom becomes the first Black U.S. Senator from Mississippi since the 1870s. But will the results be challenged?
Estimated turnout for the election, based on the “voting eligible population” was 45.3%, 12.6% above 2022’s midterm, but still lower than 2024’s presidential race turnout of 57.8%.
The race was decided eight days after election day, as Mississippi election officials painstakingly counted a higher number of mail-in and affidavit ballots. Mississippi is the only U.S. state without automatic or requested recount rules.
In March 2023, the State of Mississippi pulled out of the Electronic Registration Information Center, ERIC, the multi-state cooperative which helps keep voter lists up-to-date. Mississippi later contracted with credit data companies for address updates, sometimes invalidating otherwise eligible voters, who then had to vote using affidavit ballots, according to Mississippi Today. Hinds County rejected two-thirds of its affidavit ballots.
Hyde-Smith, whose campaign counsel signaled the race would be challenged by asking that affidavit ballots be separated, has since reportedly conceded the race. Any challenges will likely be filed shortly.
We’ve linked to the local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources
Associated Press – Mississippi U.S. Senate results
States Newsroom – Young, diverse voters showed up for midterms as older, Trump voters stayed home
University of Florida Election Lab – 2026 General Election Turnout
Mississippi Today – Thousands of affidavit ballots outstanding in Mississippi Senate election. Campaigns prepare for legal fight
The Hill – Colom rips ‘unlawful attack’ after Hyde-Smith demands ballot preservation in Mississippi
Mississippi Today – Messy-ssippi: This state has a history of elections that don’t end on Election Day
BallotPedia – Recount laws in Mississippi
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (July) In a Surprising Pro-Voter Decision the U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Mississippi’s Five-Day Mail-In Ballot Grace Period
American Democracy Minute – States Are Leaving the ERIC Voter Registration Cross Referencing System. Why? Conspiracy Theories.
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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