Roughly 2,100 affidavit ballots—also known as provisional ballots—are still to be reviewed and counted in DeSoto County, where Scott Colom is currently leading Cindy Hyde-Smith 52% to 46%. Laura Edler, DeSoto County District 1 election commissioner, confirmed in a Thursday morning conversation with the Mississippi Free Press that DeSoto County would be meeting to count the remaining ballots sometime next week, tentatively Nov. 10 after 6 P.M., with Nov. 11 or Nov. 12 as alternatives. That date will be finalized by tomorrow.

Edler explained that this number does not include affidavit ballots for voters without proper photo ID—a minuscule number—as well as outstanding mailed absentee ballots. But, she added, she expects these additional pools are likely to be a significantly smaller share of the vote compared to the 2,100 provisionals.

DeSoto County is estimated to have some of the most provisional ballots due to voter inactivations in the state. Notably, Edler said that these provisional ballots show comparable numbers across all five districts.

Investigative Reporter Nick Judin joined the Jackson Free Press in 2019, initially covering the 2020 legislative session before spearheading the outlet's COVID-19 coverage. Now at the Mississippi Free Press, his award-winning coverage of the Jackson Water Crisis, mass evictions in rural Mississippi, and the Trump administration's deportation regime has earned international recognition. He continues to travel the state, covering poverty, corruption, infrastructure and immigration.