Clarion Ledger

The Clarion Ledger is providing updates throughout the day. When polls close, we will offer analysis of the returns as they happen.

►ELECTION RESULTS: 2019 Mississippi primary vote count

Runoff ahead between Reeves, Waller on Aug. 27

1:05 a.m.: The Associated Press has called it: There will be a runoff between Bill Waller Jr. and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves in the GOP gubernatorial primary, as many anticipated earlier Tuesday evening. That's scheduled for Aug. 27.

With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Reeves garnered nearly 49 percent of votes — just shy of a majority, and winning outright — and Waller about 33 percent. A third Republican, Robert Foster, received nearly 18 percent and will not advance to the runoff.

Waller 'cautiously optimistic' about a runoff

11:40 p.m.: Bill Waller Jr. told supporters that 52% of the Republican electorate wasn’t happy with the presumptive nominee, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves. Waller said he's predicting a win in three weeks and “we need to start supporting our teachers instead of criticizing them.”

“Our goal from the very start was to be in a runoff and it appears right now that 52% of people that voted in this primary weren’t happy with the leadership they were given. And every sportscast I’ve ever seen … that sounds like a victory to me.” — Giacomo Bologna

Reeves addresses supporters as runoff looks likely

11:30 p.m.: "We are the only campaign that won in every region of our state," Reeves said in a brief speech, flanked by his two daughters and wife. "Because of you, we're going to win over 70 counties across Mississippi tonight."

He praised his supporters for helping him run a "wonderful campaign." And he said he's confident about his chances against Waller, whether the race is decided as the final votes came in, or if it comes down to a runoff in three weeks.

"I can tell you tonight, I am going to be the Republican nominee for governor of this state," Reeves said. He also pledged: "We are going to beat Jim Hood in November."

"Tonight is a great victory for us," Reeves concluded. "Tonight is a great night for the conservative cause, let's go win this thing." — Luke Ramseth

Britton concedes in GOP race for secretary of state

10:16 p.m. Sam Britton, GOP candidate for secretary of state, has conceded. His opponent, Sen. Michael Watson, will face former Hattiesburg mayor Johnny DuPree in the general election.

Britton announced on Twitter he called Watson "to congratulate him on his victory and to wish him well and offer my full support in the General Election."

The Republican primary for the secretary of state's seat has been one of the most acrimonious races. Britton and Waller attacked each other in TV ads and in speeches over a variety of topics.

Mississippi secretary of state race: Watson, DuPree secure primary victories

— Alissa Zhu

More updates below live Twitter stream.

Foster concedes, keeps powder dry on endorsement

10:15 p.m.: Robert Foster has conceded the GOP governor's primary. He's currently tracking about 18 percent, with Reeves at 48 percent and Waller at 34. Foster at his campaign party told supporters he is not going to make any decisions yet on whether to back another candidate if the race goes to a runoff.

— Geoff Pender

Thoughts on GOP primary for governor with 45% reporting

9:41 p.m. Quick thoughts on GOP #msgov with 40% reporting statewide.

Foster is outperforming expectations at 20%.

Waller is slightly under-performing at 34. 35-40 is expected range.

Reeves is right about where many thought, just over 45.

What does it mean?

Well, if this holds out, it could mean a much tougher runoff than Waller was hoping for. If Foster finishes with 20 percent, that means a lot more voters Waller has to convince to come back out and vote for him for the first time.

Conventional wisdom is that if Reeves is above 45%, he is very hard to beat in the runoff. But if he's above 45% and Foster is at 20%, then it becomes a nearly impossible task.

— Sam R. Hall

Johnny DuPree wins Democratic primary for secretary of state

9:24 p.m. The Associated Press called the Democratic secretary of state primary for former Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree. With 42% of precincts reporting, DuPree was leading Maryra Hodges Hunt, 73% to 27%.

DuPree will face either Michael Watson or Sam Britton in the general election.

Dem primary called for Jim Hood

9:20 p.m.: Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood will move on to November to face the winner of tonight's GOP gubernatorial primary.

The Associated Press called Hood's race early. He carried more than 70 percent of the vote over a slew of others with about 31 percent of precincts in.

Foster appears to win DeSoto

9:10 p.m.: Republican presumed third-runner Robert Foster appears to have won his home county, GOP stronghold DeSoto. With 95 percent of precincts in, Foster is at 47 percent, Reeves at 41 percent and Waller at 12 percent.

Lt. Gov. race called early for Hosemann

9:00 p.m.: Delbert Hosemann was declared winner over little known candidate Shane Quick, the first race to be called by AP for the night. With 21 percent of precincts reporting, Hosemann led 84 percent to 16 percent. Hosemann will face Democratic state Rep. Jay Hughes in the November general for lieutenant governor.

Early look at down-ticket primaries

8:54 p.m. The GOP primary for governor is the big race, but there are several interesting races down the ballot. Here's an (UPDATED) early look at some of them:

AG GOP primary (8.8% reporting)

Fitch: 41.73

Baker: 30.61

Taggart: 27.65

SOS GOP primary (9.5% reporting)

Watson: 54.85

Britton: 45.15

Treasurer GOP primary (8.2% reporting)

McRae: 60.57

Clarke: 39.43

Public Service Commissioner (Central) D primary (10.9% reporting)

Stamps: 50.39

Benford: 30.43

Brown: 11.35

Burton: 7.82

Public Service Commissioner (Central) R primary (12.9% reporting)

Baily: 66.27

Lott: 33.73

Transportation Commissioner (Central) D primary (12.9% reporting)

Simmons: 50.61

Wallace: 49.39%

Transportation Commissioner (Central) R primary (12.9% reporting)

Lee: 63.24

36.76

— Sam R. Hall

Report: Vehicle crashes into voting precinct

7:50 p.m. A vehicle crashed into a Lamar County voting precinct earlier in the evening, before polls closed.

Lamar County Sheriff Danny Rigel told the Clarion Ledger the incident happened at Lamar Park voting precinct. An elderly man crashed through a wall and hit a woman inside the building, he said.

The woman was reportedly not injured but decided to seek medical attention to be safe, the sheriff said. The driver did not sustain any injuries.

All the voting machines were moved to the other side of the building and voters continued to cast ballots as usual until the polls closed.

— Alissa Zhu

Republicans can make history

7:45 p.m. Mississippi Republicans are hoping to make history by having more primary voters than the Democrats for the first time. In 2015, Democratic primary voters outnumbered Republicans by just shy of 20K (299,368 to 279,427).

While Mississippi has been solidly Republican statewide for sometime, many local elected officials remained Democrats — at least for primary election purposes. The transition has been slow but steady, and we could see the tipping point tonight.

Of course, the ultimate prize is in November. Jim Hood is the last statewide elected Democrat. If he falls in the general (assuming he wins tonight), the Mississippi Republican Party will (likely) hold all statewide offices for the first time.

State Rep. Jay Hughes of Oxford is the only other statewide Democratic candidate who politicos think has the ability to pose a real challenge, but he's facing Delbert Hosemann. Hosemann remains the overwhelming favorite for lieutenant governor.

So despite a lot of tough, heated GOP primaries — with likely runoffs to come — don't expect anything but a unified state Republican Party come November. History is theirs for the taking.

— Sam R. Hall

Polls have closed

7 p.m.: Mississippi primary polls have closed. Remember, anyone in line to vote at 7 p.m. is still allowed to vote.

We have reporters covering watch parties for Foster, Reeves, Waller and Hood. Live tweets in the stream below, along with analysis and news updates here throughout the night.

National media look to Mississippi

6:20 p.m.: Several national media outlets are tuning into today's primary. Their coverage is unsurprisingly focused on the tight gubernatorial race — whether an Aug. 27 runoff is possible involving Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, and whether Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood has a shot in November, considering Mississippi's recent preference for Republicans.

The New York Times: Mississippi Primary Election for Governor: Voters Go to Polls in Tight Race

The New Yorker: Mississippi's Gubernatorial Race Tests the Limits of Conservatism

FiveThirtyEight: Could Democrats Take The Governor's Mansion In Mississippi?

— Luke Ramseth

One hour to go

6 p.m.: Polls close in one hour. You've still got plenty of time to cast your ballot as you head home from work.

Don't forget: If you are in line at your precinct at 7 p.m., you are allowed to vote. And remember to bring photo ID. If you don't you will have to cast an affidavit ballot, and present photo ID at the local circuit or municipal clerk's office within five working days to have your vote counted.

If you need to look for your precinct last-minute, here's where to go:

Reports are GOP turnout high

5:30 p.m.: There are reports of high voter turnout in the heated GOP primaries for several counties as the end of polling time draws near. High turnout has been reported in Forrest, Hinds, Lafayette, Lauderdale and Madison counties.

Reports of high numbers of absentee ballot returns rival 2014 turnout, which saw the highest totals for a non-presidential primary for the GOP.

— Geoff Pender

Fake Twitter account targeting Foster voters

1:30 p.m. A fake Twitter account is trying to mislead voters for Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert Foster. The account includes a photo of Foster and a name similar to his campaign account, and tells voters they don't have to go vote — they can call in their vote for Foster and it offers a number.

There is no such phone-in voting program in Mississippi.

— Luke Ramseth

Candidates making last-minute pushes

1 p.m. Mississippi gubernatorial candidates were out on the campaign trail before Tuesday's primary vote, and making some last minute social media pitches to voters.

Rocky start to voting in Hinds, Madison counties

10:15 a.m. Voting got off to a rocky start in the metro area, with poll workers not showing up to locations in Raymond and Madison County.

The secretary of state's office reported no poll workers were present early morning for the Republican primary at the United Methodist Church precinct in Raymond and the Oak Forest Elementary precinct in Jackson.

The office also reported no poll workers for the Democratic primary at the Victory Baptist Church precinct in Madison County.

And in Clinton, incorrect ballots were issued in the Republican primary at the Pine View Church precinct.

By mid-morning, officials said the issues in Raymond, Jackson and Clinton had been fixed.

Early voting starts to trickle mid-morning

10 a.m. The long line cleared quickly at the Eudora Welty Library voting precinct in downtown Jackson. It became a trickle as time went by.

This was the norm across the metro, with longer lines expected at lunch and then in the final two hours of voting as people get off from work.

Polls open for Mississippi primary elections

7 a.m. Polls are open today across Mississippi from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for primaries for statewide, district and local offices. Follow along here today for updates on voting and any election issues during the day, and tune in to clarionledger.com throughout the night for results.

Click here to find your voting precinct.

An open seat for governor tops the ticket in Democratic and Republican primaries.

GOP voters will also weigh in on contested primaries for lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer, while Democrats will decide a nominee for secretary of state. Voters in some parts of the state will also see contested primaries for public service commissioner and transportation commissioner.

Aug. 27 runoffs will be held in any races where a candidate doesn't get a majority Tuesday, while winners advance to the Nov. 5 general election.

Remember: Voters must present a form of government photo identification at their polling place, such as a driver's license, passport, or military photo ID. If you do not have photo ID with you, you can still cast an affidavit ballot, but you must present photo ID at the local circuit or municipal clerk's office within five working days to have your vote counted.

For more on candidates and where they stand on major issues, check here.

Mississippi governor race guide: Everything you need to know about the candidates and issues