Mississippi Ballot Curing Could Decide Senate | JQJO

Tens of thousands of Mississippi voters were marked “inactive” before the midterms, forcing them to cast affidavit ballots on Election Day. The state’s new voter‑roll vendor produced faulty data, leading to many ballots being set aside for technical deficiencies. As of Wednesday evening, an estimated eight thousand to twelve thousand affidavit ballots remained uncounted. Voters whose ballots were flagged have until November tenth to present acceptable photo ID or sign a religious objection affidavit, after which counties must certify results by November thirteenth. The cure process could determine the outcome of Democrat Scott Colom’s narrow lead over Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde‑Smith.