Jackson County sample ballot, election information for today’s primary
There are only two races on the ballot this Tuesday, but those races will help determine control of the United States Senate and House of Representatives.
Tuesday’s election is a primary, where Republicans and Democrats will choose which candidates will be a part of the general election in November.
Primary facts to know
Party candidates are nominated through primary elections. A voter may vote in either party’s primary and cast a ballot for that party’s nominees to the general election. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes in a primary, a run-off is held between the top two vote-getters.
A voter who votes in the primary of one party may not “cross over” to vote in the run-off of another party.
By law, primary elections are run by each political party’s county or municipal executive committee with oversight from the state party executive committees. Circuit and Municipal Clerks also provide support.
The U.S. Senate race
REPUBLICAN: Incumbent U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is looking to retain the seat she has held since being appointed in 2018 to fill the seat being vacated by the resignation of Thad Cochran. Hyde-Smith won a 2018 special election for the remainder of Cochran’s term, and was reelected in 2020. Sara Adlakha is the only Republican challenging Hyde-Smith for her seat.
DEMOCRAT: Three Democrats are on the ballot in a bid to seize control of one of Mississippi’s U.S. Senate seat. Scott Colom, Albert R. Littell and Priscilla W. Till are looking to secure the right to face either Hyde-Smith or Adlakha in November.
The U.S. House race
REPUBLICAN: Incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell is running to retain the seat he first won in 2022 and held by a wide margin in 2024. He is being challenged only by Sawyer Walters.
DEMOCRAT: Three Democrats are on the ballot in a bid to turn South Mississippi’s U.S. House seat blue. Paul James Blackman, D. Ryan Grover and Jeffrey Hulum III are battling for the chance to face either Ezell or Walters in November.
Election Day information
The polls are open on Tuesday, March 10 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must show photo ID at the polls or cast and affidavit ballot and return with identification. Residents who want to verify they are registered to vote can do so online through the Secretary of State website. Locations of polling places and other information also are available from the Jackson County election website.
Republican sample ballot
Democrat sample ballot
This story was originally published March 4, 2026 at 7:00 AM.