Mississippi Megathread 2023

[GeorgiaModerate]

https://twitter.com/JessicaTaylor/status/1716534767863091484

[GeorgiaModerate]

To be fair, my understanding is that Mississippi is on its way towards becoming competitive. It may not be there yet but it will happen eventually.

I don’t think Reeves losing would be a sign of MS becoming competitive. The JBE/Pressley model (running a practising pro-life Christian who focuses exclusively on kitchen-table issues and contrasts himself with the out-of-touch incumbent and corrupt local administration) does not work at the national level.

It’s basically a Phil Scott/Charlie Baker-situation. The Deep South (except GA) is not getting any less Republican any time soon.

The KY and VA races have been far more nationalized.

Hood lost by 5-6 points, in an environment that was bluer and also before the Deep South trended hard right post-Dobbs. This won’t be close in the end.

What is your prediction for the final margin?

[GeorgiaModerate]

It's rather amusing that our Mississippi Republican thinks the Democrat has momentum, while our Mississippi Democrat doesn't.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Democrat consultants speak candidly about Presley's chances, strategy one week out from election day
https://mississippitoday.org/2023/10/31/brandon-presley-momentum-democrats-caution/

Nice article, thanks for posting.

[GeorgiaModerate]

AP: Mississippi has a history of voter suppression. Many see signs of change as Black voters reengage.

Long but interesting article.  This is one bit I wasn't previously aware of:

Five Black candidates are running for statewide office, from agriculture commissioner to secretary of state. Each is trying to become the first Black candidate to ever win one of those posts.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Split Ticket's final rating: Likely R.

[GeorgiaModerate]

FYSA, this past Saturday the number of requested absentee ballots surpassed 62,000.  That's ~30% more than the 48,000 from 2019.  56k have already been returned; mailed absentee ballots will be counted as long as they are postmarked by today and returned by November 15th.  6,000 potentially outstanding ballots after tonight could matter given Mississippi's new runoff rules for this year.     

What are the new runoff rules?

[GeorgiaModerate]

What time polls close?

8 Eastern, except in Hinds County where they've been extended an hour by a judge due to ballot shortages.