From BBC News · · 2m
Mississippi Senate race heads to recount dispute
With a 2,500-vote lead and thousands of ballots uncounted, Democrat Scott Colom and Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith face a legal battle over how Mississippi will count its way to a winner.
In brief
With a 2,500-vote lead and thousands of ballots uncounted, Democrat Scott Colom and Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith face a legal battle over how Mississippi will count its way to a winner. Democrat Scott Colom leads Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith by 2,500 votes in Mississippi's Senate race with thousands of ballots…
Democrats lead in Mississippi Senate race
With 97 percent of votes counted, Democrat Scott Colom leads Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith by about 2,500 votes. The result could end nearly 40 years of Republican control of Mississippi's Senate seats.
Thousands of ballots still to count
Mississippi's Secretary of State Michael Watson said 3,600 absentee-by-mail ballots remain, plus an unknown number of provisional ballots. The Republican Party estimates approximately 20,000 outstanding ballots could be counted.
Deadline pressure mounts for certification
Mississippi has a 13 November deadline for certification. The state can accept absentee ballots postmarked by election day and received by 10 November. Provisional ballot ID issues must also be resolved by 10 November.
Both campaigns deploy legal teams
Colom said his campaign has an army of lawyers ready to act.The state Republican Party sent more than 50 volunteers, attorneys and observers across the state.
“an army of lawyers”
Dispute over ballot segregation
Hyde-Smith's lawyers requested all 82 counties keep provisional ballots separate from regular ballots and preserve records as potential evidence. Colom's lawyers responded the move has no legal authority whatsoever and could violate ballot secrecy laws.
“no legal authority whatsoever”
Mississippi lacks formal recount procedure
Mississippi is the only US state without a set procedure to trigger a recount.Recounts rarely succeed: just three of 37 completed state-wide recounts since 2000 reversed a result.
Ballot examination could lead to recount
Ronald Rychlak, law professor at the University of Mississippi, says ballot-box examination is an available post-election mechanism that can lead to discoveries resulting in a recount.
Historic stakes for Mississippi politics
If Colom wins, he would be the first Black US senator elected in Mississippi since 1875.The result will determine the size of the Democrats' majority in the Senate.
The headline
Democrat Scott Colom leads Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith by 2,500 votes in Mississippi's Senate race with thousands of ballots uncounted, but the state has no formal recount procedure, leaving the outcome to legal challenge.
