Large turnout in Mississippi for midterm election, Hosemann says

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said so far there has been what could be a record turnout for a midterm election.

“I think people are listening to the candidates and to the issues. The president has been here and a whole bunch of others, so we’re encouraged by that turnout,” Hosemann said. “I don’t think we’re going to be at presidential numbers, but we’re going to be above midterm numbers.”

The polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters who are in line at 7 p.m. will still be allowed to cast their ballots. Voters must have a voter ID or a state ID to cast their ballots.

More than 60,000 absentee ballots have been recorded statewide and turnout at the polls was between 10 and 20 percent Tuesday morning, Hosemann said.

In addition to two closely watched U.S. Senate races, there are also congressional seats and several state and county races on the line.

Hosemann said he has about 15 observers in precincts across the state.

Election officials in Jackson County reported that electronic poll votes did not function correctly, Hosemann said. There were a number of issues in Hinds County, including scanner problems and voter errors. A split precinct in Madison County was not synced up because of an error during the setup of the machines, Hosemann said.

 

Original source: WAPT