Mississippi
Early voting dies in MS Legislature. Concerns arose over new voting program, likely veto
Parts of ‘excused’ voting program that pandered to national GOP position on mail-in absentee voting dies with new voting program
MS Governor calls to eliminate income tax in State of the State address
Gov. Tate Reeves gives his State of the State address at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
The Legislature had passed a measure on Tuesday to allow folks to more easily vote prior to an election day, but lawmakers held the motion back on a parliamentary motion to reconsider and then failed to vote on that motion before ending the 2025 Legislative Session on Thursday.
On Tuesday, both the House and Senate passed a bill that created a 22-day excused early voting program, which allowed folks to go to their circuit clerk’s office and vote and have the ballot counted into a voting machine if they had one of several excused reasons for not voting on election day.
However, both chambers held the bill’s passage back, and while the House on Wednesday before gaveling out the session had tabled that motion, the Senate did not, leaving the bill on the cutting-room floor.
Senate Elections Chairman Jeremy England, R-Vancleave, told reporters after the Senate adjourned for the year on Thursday that he wants to continue working on the legislation. Specifically, he wants to make sure the program replaces the state’s current in-person absentee voting program and not simply add a new option of voting in addition to that.
“It was really just some cleanup language that we were going to have to do when we came back anyways,” England said. “And, look, that’s certainly a product of the House going home last weekend and us having about five hours together, as opposed to a weekend together to work on getting a well put together conference report.”
The House last weekend skipped what is commonly known as conference weekend, when lawmakers typically has out final budget proposals before hurriedly passing them through the chamber the following Monday. It also serves as extra time for other pieces of legislation to continue being negotiated.
England also said he had received word that Republican Gov. Tate Reeves would veto the bill. Reeves social media page had several times called out England for his early voting bill, characterizing the effort as a “Democratic priority.”
Several members of the Senate became upset with the back-and-forths between Reeves and England, calling on the governor to act with more civility and respect toward the Senate.
“Instead of having to read a veto message, I would rather just put something together that I know would have a better chance of becoming law (next year),” England said.
Reeves later told the Clarion Ledger his opposition came from his own views on early voting and national GOP positions on the topic.
“I believe in voting on Election Day,” Reeves said. “… I was in the White House just two weeks ago when President Trump endorsed ‘same-day voting’ and ‘one-day voting’ and encouraged governors to pass laws to stop the ridiculous practice of allowing voting for weeks and weeks that leads to outcomes being delayed for weeks after Election Day. Legislators should be focused on conservative priorities — like eliminating our income tax — not trying to tackle items on the Mississippi Democratic Party’s wish list. I’ll keep pushing back on dumb ideas and look forward to working with legislators on the issues conservative voters that elected us actually care about.”
One of the provisions of the bill, a section that would prohibit the counting of mail-in absentee ballots received after election day for state and local elections, also died with the bill. The state recently lost an appeal in a lawsuit filed by the GOP that successfully challenged the state’s law on counting mail-in absentee ballots received after election day for five days. It is unclear if the case will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The law pertaining to state and local elections will now remain in place for at least another year, as will the state’s 45-day in person “excused” absentee voting program.
The bill’s death also leaves Mississippi as one of only a few states without a true early voting program. During the summer of 2024, the Senate Elections Committee heard testimony from experts saying that early voting was utilized by both Republicans and Democrats in droves, but rural populations would be able to take advantage more so than others.
Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature and state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.
With the College Football Playoff finally here, the Oregonian/OregonLive sports staff returns with its final predictions for the 2025-2026 season.
No. 5 Oregon starts its CFP campaign with a matchup against 12-seed James Madison on Saturday, in what will be the first-ever playoff game held at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks are a heavy favorite, and many of our experts predict them to make a deep playoff run after beating the Dukes.
In addition to UO hosting JMU, this weekend’s first-round CFP slate includes showdowns between No. 9 Alabama and No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 10 Miami and No. 7 Texas A&M, as well as No. 11 Tulane and No. 6 Mississippi.
Our staff has made predictions for all playoff games from now until the championship on Jan. 19. Check out the picks below.
No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma
Game details: 5 p.m. PT Friday at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma
TV channel and live stream: ABC and ESPN
Latest line: Sooners by 1½
Over/under: 40½
Ryan Clarke: Alabama 31, Oklahoma 20
James Crepea: Alabama 28, Oklahoma 21
Nick Daschel: Oklahoma 27, Alabama 23
Aaron Fentress: Oklahoma 27, Alabama 24
Sean Meagher: Alabama 28, Oklahoma 26
Joel Odom: Alabama 27, Oklahoma 20
Bill Oram: Oklahoma 28, Alabama 21
No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M
Game details: 9 a.m. PT Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas
TV channel and live stream: ABC and ESPN
Latest line: Aggies by 3½
Over/under: 48½
Ryan Clarke: Miami 21, Texas A&M 20
James Crepea: Miami 21, Texas A&M 14
Nick Daschel: Miami 31, Texas A&M 27
Aaron Fentress: Texas A&M 31, Miami 30
Sean Meagher: Texas A&M 35, Miami 24
Joel Odom: Texas A&M 23, Miami 21
Bill Oram: Miami 42, Texas A&M 35
No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Mississippi
Game details: 12:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi
TV channel and live stream: TNT, HBO Max and truTV
Latest line: Rebels by 17½
Over/under: 56½
Ryan Clarke: Mississippi 35, Tulane 13
James Crepea: Mississippi 35, Tulane 14
Nick Daschel: Mississippi 38, Tulane 24
Aaron Fentress: Miss 40, Tulane 17
Sean Meagher: Mississippi 38, Tulane 21
Joel Odom: Mississippi 35, Tulane 16
Bill Oram: Mississippi 38, Tulane 17
No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon
Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon
TV channel and live stream: TNT, HBO Max and truTV
Latest line: Ducks by 20½
Over/under: 47½
Ryan Clarke: Oregon 45, James Madison 7
James Crepea: Oregon 35, James Madison 7
Nick Daschel: Oregon 45, JMU 10
Aaron Fentress: Oregon 41, JMU 16
Sean Meagher: Oregon 42, James Madison 17
Joel Odom: Oregon 38, James Madison 19
Bill Oram: Oregon 40, JMU 13
Quarterfinals
Cotton Bowl: Miami-Texas A&M winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State
Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
TV channel and live stream: ESPN
Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 31, Miami 17
James Crepea: Ohio State 35, Miami 14
Nick Daschel: Ohio State 34, Miami 17
Aaron Fentress: OSU 33, Texas A&M 20
Sean Meagher: Ohio State 35, Texas A&M 24
Joel Odom: Ohio State 31, Texas A&M 21
Bill Oram: Ohio State 31, Miami 24
Orange Bowl: JMU-Oregon winner vs. No. 4 Texas Tech
Game details: 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
TV channel and live stream: ESPN
Ryan Clarke: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 20
James Crepea: Oregon 28, Texas Tech 21
Nick Daschel: Oregon 30, Texas Tech 24
Aaron Fentress: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 24
Sean Meagher: Oregon 37, Texas Tech 35
Joel Odom: Oregon 30, Texas Tech 24
Bill Oram: Oregon 38, Texas Tech 30
Rose Bowl: Alabama-Oklahoma winner vs. No. 1 Indiana
Game details: 1 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
TV channel and live stream: ESPN
Ryan Clarke: Indiana 34, Alabama 24
James Crepea: Indiana 35, Alabama 28
Nick Daschel: Indiana 34, Oklahoma 24
Aaron Fentress: Indiana 29, Oklahoma 20
Sean Meagher: Indiana 33, Alabama 23
Joel Odom: Indiana 28, Alabama 17
Bill Oram: Indiana 10, Oklahoma 7
Sugar Bowl: Tulane-Mississippi winner vs. No. 3 Georgia
Game details: 5 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
TV channel and live stream: ESPN
Ryan Clarke: Georgia 20, Mississippi 10
James Crepea: Georgia 28, Mississippi 21
Nick Daschel: Georgia 30, Mississippi 7
Aaron Fentress: Georgia 30, Mississippi 22
Sean Meagher: Georgia 28, Mississippi 20
Joel Odom: Georgia 25, Mississippi 22
Bill Oram: Georgia 45, Mississippi 35
Semifinals
Fiesta Bowl: Cotton vs. Sugar winners
Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
TV channel and live stream: ESPN
Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 23, Georgia 20
James Crepea: Ohio State 28, Georgia 21
Nick Daschel: Georgia 29, Ohio State 23
Aaron Fentress: Ohio State 27, Georgia 26
Sean Meagher: Ohio State 28, Georgia 21
Joel Odom: Georgia 31, Ohio State 21
Bill Oram: Ohio State 42, Georgia 41
Peach Bowl: Orange vs. Rose winners
Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT Friday, Jan. 9 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
TV channel and live stream: ESPN
Ryan Clarke: Indiana 30, Oregon 24
James Crepea: Indiana 35, Oregon 24
Nick Daschel: Oregon 31, Indiana 23
Aaron Fentress: Indiana 30, Oregon 23
Sean Meagher: Indiana 27, Oregon 24
Joel Odom: Oregon 34, Indiana 24
Bill Oram: Oregon 30, Indiana 20
National Championship
Semifinal winners
Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
TV channel and live stream: ESPN
Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 25, Indiana 21
James Crepea: Ohio State 28, Indiana 24
Nick Daschel: Georgia 28, Oregon 17
Aaron Fentress: Ohio State 22, Indiana 20
Sean Meagher: Ohio State 33, Indiana 31
Joel Odom: Georgia 30, Oregon 27
Bill Oram: Ohio State 32, Oregon 31
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 18, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
01-06-18-19-35
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
Midday: 1-9-0, FB: 3
Evening: 3-8-2, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
Midday: 0-3-9-4, FB: 3
Evening: 7-2-8-2, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 10
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 17, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
05-14-24-31-33
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
Midday: 0-3-8, FB: 8
Evening: 6-8-3, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
Midday: 3-5-3-0, FB: 8
Evening: 8-0-9-4, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 05
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Photo of the Week: Texas K-9 care
Alabama vs. Oklahoma live updates: College Football Playoff game score, predictions, latest
Opinion: You get what you pay for — and Alaska is paying too little
Three Arizona Standouts Against Bellarmine
Arkansas runaway youth numbers rising, what does that mean? | Make It Make Sense
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Takeaways from an eventful 2025 election cycle
Judge tosses Trump-linked lawsuit targeting Chief Justice Roberts, dealing setback to Trump allies
Who was Osman Hadi; why is Bangladesh on fire over his death?
Putin tells news conference that Kremlin’s military goals will be achieved in Ukraine
Video: Trump Mocks Obama, Biden in His Presidential ‘Walk of Fame’
-
Iowa5 days agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Iowa6 days agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Maine3 days agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland5 days agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
Technology1 week agoThe Game Awards are losing their luster
-
South Dakota5 days agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
Nebraska1 week agoNebraska lands commitment from DL Jayden Travers adding to early Top 5 recruiting class
-
Sports1 week agoPro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman critiques NIL landscape, transfer rules and Lane Kiffin’s LSU move