Mississippi election results: When will we know who won?
It's Election Day, but that doesn't mean we'll know all the midterm election results tonight after polls close. In some races, the answer could come quickly. Others could take hours or even days as states count ballots.
In the midterm elections, Mississippi voters are deciding several local races and picking their representatives for the U.S. Senate and House.
Across the U.S., how quickly we get election results depends on each state's counting rules and laws.
Here is what we know about when the results of key races across the country and in Mississippi could be available.
What are the rules for voting on Election Day?
Mississippi voters must vote at assigned polling locations. To find where to vote or see a sample ballot, go to myelectionday.sos.state.ms.us and type in your ZIP code and street address.
The Secretary of State's website includes a list of your current elected representatives, where to find your polling spot, upcoming elections and sample ballots so you can prepare before you vote.
What time do polls close in Mississippi on Election Day?
Polls opened at 7 a.m. local time and will close at 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Any voter already in line at 7 p.m. CT in their county is eligible to cast a vote.
When are Mississippi votes counted?
Historically, Mississippi vote counts can go late into the night. While some elections with large numbers of votes may be called early, the Mississippi Secretary of State has several days to count and certify results.
Some mailed absentee ballots have not yet been returned.
Why do some states take longer to count election results?
According to the Center for Election Innovation & Research, 13 of 50 states allow mail-in ballots to be received and counted after Election Day as long as they were postmarked on or before Election Day, with some, like Washington state, having a deadline as late as Nov. 23.
Seventeen states and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit scanning absentee ballots until Election Day, which can delay the counting process, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
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When are absentee ballots counted in Mississippi?
This year, Mississippi changed how in-person absentee ballots are handled.
Voters fed their ballots directly into voting machines like they do on Election Day. Before, they would put it in an envelope, then the ballot box.
Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson issued a news release explaining that those in-person absentee ballots still would not be counted until election night.
How much the change could speed up the counting is unclear.
Absentee ballots sent from uniformed service members and overseas citizens must be received via email or fax by 7 p.m. Nov. 3. These are commonly called Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act ballots or UOCAVA ballots.
Mailed absentee ballots still have several days before the return deadline. They must be postmarked no later than Election Day, and they must be received no later than Nov. 10.
When will Mississippi results be announced?
According to PBS, the Associated Press started reporting Mississippi results about 20 minutes after polls closed Nov. 5, 2024, for the general election. About half of all votes were counted as of 9:06 p.m. CT that night. About 90% of all votes were counted by 8:49 a.m. CT on Nov. 8.
Some elections may be called early, but it's unlikely that all races will be called on election night.
It will take several days for complete and official results.
When will election races be called on Election Night?
According to Reuters, the first calls will start soon after polls begin to close. Indiana and Kentucky closed first at 5 p.m. CT, and Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia will close at 6 p.m. CT. In some races, an instant call may occur if much of the voting has already taken place.
Most news outlets' calls will rely on two providers for vote counts: the Associated Press or election-data firm Decision Desk HQ.
What are the blue shift and red mirage in election results?
How long it takes to count absentee/mail-in ballots and extended deadlines have led to phenomena commonly known as the “blue shift” and “red mirage.” They can change how results look as they come in, with a candidate sometimes leading at night but falling behind by morning.
Both became subjects of discussion during the 2020 election, when Election Day ballots were counted first because they were cast in person, while mail-in/absentee ballots were counted hours and days after.
More:2026 U.S. House Election Results
Historically, Election Day voters have skewed more Republican, while Democrats have skewed more toward casting absentee/mail-in ballots.
That split can cause a Republican candidate to lead early in the night as Election Day ballots are counted, known as the "red mirage," before the gap narrows or even reverses as absentee and mail-in ballots are tabulated in a "blue shift."
Jordan Green and Reuters contributed to this report.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected].
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.