When Is the 2026 Election in Mississippi, and What Is on the Ballot?

With the 2026 midterm elections just around the corner, Mississippi voters are gearing up to make key decisions. This guide breaks down the essential information, from the exact date to the major races that will shape the state and nation.

Mark Your Calendar: The Key Date

The 2026 general election in Mississippi will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls across the state are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For voters who needed to register, the deadline was Monday, October 5, 2026. Mississippi requires voters to present a valid photo ID at the polls. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, a government-issued photo ID card, a U.S. passport, or a Mississippi Voter Identification Card, which is available for free at any circuit clerk's office.

High-Stakes Federal Races

Two types of federal offices are on every Mississippi ballot this year. First is a closely watched U.S. Senate race. Incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith is running for her second full term and will face Democratic challenger Scott Colom, the District Attorney

for Lowndes County. Hyde-Smith won her party's primary in March, as did Colom on the Democratic side. Additionally, all four of Mississippi's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election, giving voters in every corner of the state a say in the balance of power in Congress.

State and Local Judicial Seats

While major statewide executive offices like Governor are not on the ballot—those are contested in odd-numbered years like 2027—voters will decide numerous judicial races. Seats on the Mississippi Court of Appeals and various trial court positions, including Chancery and Circuit Court judges, are up for election. These nonpartisan races are crucial, as the judges elected will rule on civil and criminal cases that directly impact communities. Depending on your location, you may also see elections for school board trustees and other local municipal government positions.

What About Ballot Initiatives?

As of mid-October 2026, there are no statewide ballot initiatives certified for the general election ballot. The state's citizen-led initiative process was effectively halted by a 2021 Mississippi Supreme Court ruling which found the signature-gathering requirements in the state constitution impossible to meet after the state dropped from five to four congressional districts. While some lawmakers have expressed a desire to reform and restore the process, no changes have been made in time for this election cycle. However, some local measures may appear on ballots in specific areas, such as a proposal in Jackson to increase taxes on hotels and restaurants to fund tourism efforts.