The 19th published this story originally. Our newsroom is the only one that focuses exclusively on writing about politics, gender, and policy. Sign up for our newsletter today. Camille Green (20 years old) burst into tears when she first met Senator Cindy Hyde Smith. She traveled to Washington, D.C. in March, just before the pandemic that decimated most of the country, along with a nonpartisan, politically active student association from Mississippi State University. She said, “Most people know I’m big Cindy Hyde Smith fan.” “We met her at Congress and I boohoo cried. It was embarrassing because who does that?” Hyde-Smith is the first and often only woman to hold these positions in a state where White men control most of the political positions, from Congress to governor to state legislature. She became the first woman to represent Mississippi at either chamber of Congress in 2018. She was the first woman elected to her district as a Democrat and then as a Republican. This seat she held from 2000 until 2012 when she was elected the state’s first female agricultural commissioner. Green was raised as a “big country kid” and was only a preteen when Hyde Smith became the state’s first female commissioner of agriculture. According to Green, Hyde-Smith was the first woman to hold that position. Green, who double majors in political science and wildlife, fisheries, and agriculture, has considered following Hyde-Smith as agricultural commissioner. Green stated that “we do get a rep in a state that’s so anti-woman with some aspects of our history and some of the laws we used to have.” It’s amazing that there is a woman in our Senate. It means more to me that it be Sen. Cindy Hyde Smith.” Green acknowledged Hyde Smith has made “questionable” comments and has a tendency of saying things that can easily be taken out of context. Those were evident during her first campaign for Senate. After longtime Senator Thad Chochran retired due to health issues, the then-Gov. Phil Bryant named Hyde-Smith as the new incumbent. In November 2018, Hyde-Smith ran against Mike Espy in a special election. Espy had been a Mississippi 2nd congressional representative from 1987 to 1993. He was the first Black Mississippian elected to Congress since Reconstruction. Also, he served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under the Clinton administration. A runoff was held in 2018, giving a Democrat a chance in red Mississippi. The historic nature of this race was quickly overshadowed by controversy after a video of Hyde Smith at a Tupelo campaign event. She said that if Hyde-Smith invited her to a public hanging, she would be in the first row. Although Hyde-Smith later classified the comments as an “exaggerated expressions of regard”, it was resonant in the Blackest state, which has seen the most lynchings. Mississippi Democrats received a boost from the runoff, and the national spotlight on the hanging comment might have signaled that an Espy win could also have indicated that the state was close to closing a dark chapter in its history. Major donors like Walmart and Google asked for a refund. Hyde-Smith won with a 7-point margin. Green was shocked to see a mailer sent by the Espy campaign featuring the now-famous quote from Hyde-Smith. It was taken out of context because of Mississippi’s history with lynching, she explained, but she felt that the reaction to the senator’s comment was a confirmation for everyone in the state that Mississippi had not progressed. Green stated, “They don’t know the Mississippi they know and that so many love. “And it’s easy for people to say, “Oh, look, they haven’t changed one bit.” Espy and Hyde Smith are again at odds during a presidential election that took place in the midst of a pandemic. This has made voting more difficult. According to the Democracy Initiative (a coalition of 75 civic organisations), Mississippi is the only state that allows in-person voting on Election Day. Mississippi is closest to early voting. However, Mississippi is gaining popularity in other states. Absentee voting is available for those who are not able to vote in their home counties on Election Day. State lawmakers allowed anyone who was under a quarantine imposed by a doctor to vote absentee. This election saw more than 190,000. The state received 142,591 absentee ballots as of Oct. 25, 2017. This is significantly more than the 103,000 absentee votes that were counted in 2016. Michael Watson, Secretary of State, stated that 113,000 voters had registered prior to the election. Julie Wronski is a University of Mississippi political science professor. She stated in an email that while most Mississippians will vote in person on Election Day but that there will not be a mandate to wear masks at polling stations, this will reduce turnout in a state where the number of voters has been declining due to hurdles. This could prove to be particularly damaging for Espy’s campaign. Wronksi states that the Mississippi voting breakdowns are based primarily on race and not gender. Most Mississippians are Republicans while most Blacks are Democrats. Espy’s campaign could be using what’s being called a “secret weapon”, which is a database of 100,000 Black voters who haven’t voted since 2008, when they cast their ballot for President Barack Obama. Espy lost by nearly 66,000 votes in the runoff. Wronksi stated that Espy’s chances of winning this year are dependent on turnout. For Espy’s supporters to come out in large numbers, it is important that everything aligns well. “The presidential race and more nationalized politics seem to be driving general enthusiasm.” Exit Poll data from the 2018 special elections showed that Hyde-Smith tended to do better among male voters than Espy with women. Two years ago, 58% of White women voted in favor of Hyde-Smith. This compares to 93% of Black women who voted in favor of Espy. The runoff did not have exit poll data. Kim Robinson (46) said Hyde Smith lost ground as a Black woman due to her public hanging comment and subsequent comments about voter suppression. In 2018, Hyde Smith stated that it was a “great idea”, to make voting “just slightly more difficult” for liberals. Robinson stated that women have been suppressed for a while. “I stopped looking at her election as a landmark because she was pro so much of what I was against. People of color are sensitive to the subject matter of lynching or public hangings. To me, it was offensive to claim that it was a joke or something you can say in jest was insulting. Robinson liked Espy as a candidate. Robinson feels Espy listens to Mississippians, particularly in the area of the gap in health care coverage. Hyde-Smith doesn’t want to expand Medicaid, but Espy does. Robinson is conscious of her health, even in her voting plan. She considers herself to be at greater risk for contracting the coronavirus because of pre-existing medical conditions. Although she had considered voting early by absentee, her daughter who is returning from basic training in the Army will be voting in this year’s first presidential election. Robinson would love to share this moment with her. Robinson stated, “Even though my risk is high, I will still go out there with PPE.” Robinson votes in Hinds County which is Mississippi’s capital. Video on social media captured voters waiting in line outside the county courthouse to cast absentee votes over the weekend. In the 2018 runoffs, seventy-seven per cent of Hinds County voters voted for Espy. Espy has managed to win national support in a manner that Hyde Smith has not. Espy made $1 million in the wake of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death. According to Mississippi Today, Hyde-Smith’s campaign had raised less than $3million through October’s beginning. This is less than any other sitting senator who isn’t retiring. Karen Augustus, 47-year-old Greenville native who now calls Texas her home, would like to see the whole Senate return to the Democrats. She was one of the outside-state donors that contributed to Espy’s fund surge. She is familiar with Espy’s role as a “force” in Mississippi politics and enjoys his long-standing work with Delta farmers. Augustus recognizes Hyde-Smith’s history as Mississippi’s first woman to be elected to Congress. However, Augustus is turned off by her views on abortion and her support for Confederate history. Augustus said that it is important for women to have these positions, but they must be the right woman with the right ideology. Augustus stated that she believes they have something in common, and that it is gender. It was more than just “Oh, he will be the first Black senator from Mississippi,” for me to give my money to Espy. He’s not only going to make history but he’s also the right man for the history.” Anne Twitty (40), a University of Mississippi history professor, was in “abject fear” when she filled out her absentee vote with the “Byzantine” instructions provided by the state. She can vote absentee because the professor will be away from town on Election Day. She received her ballot a few weeks ago, opened it, looked through the instructions and felt her stomach jump into her throat. Twitty, a teacher, said that so much of her life has been dedicated to giving clear instructions to her students. Twitty was disappointed when she received the absentee ballot application along with the ballot, which each need to be notarized separately and mailed back in separate envelopes, as well as long paragraphs of instructions. Twitty had to be witnessed by a notary to fill out her ballot. Both of them had also to sign the envelope’s flap. Twitty knew she would find a notary to sign her ballot and mail it in before the election. But she was curious if it had to be so difficult. Twitty stated that all these people are doing their civic duty and it’s making it really difficult. Twitty is mad that voting should be enjoyable. This is a stark contrast to Twitty’s two-year-old statement that she was “really and really fired up” when she canvassed for Lafayette County Democratic Party, knocking on 400 doors. Espy had been close to winning, but she lost out. Twitty is delighted that Hyde Smith is running again against him, who Twitty considers a “absolutely ridiculous candidate.” Hyde Smith has emerged on the campaign trail in recent weeks after almost radio silence. She has refused to debate her opponent and, at least once, she walked out from a scheduled media interview. Twitty stated that she doesn’t seem to know much. She said, “And she won’t debate Mike Espy again because I think… she doesn’t have any command over the policies.” She hopes her ballot makes it safely to the post office. Her best option is to contact her circuit clerk and inquire if they can confirm receipt. Twitty stated, “That’s another thing I, as an individual voter, must do.” It’s difficult enough to remember to do the basics in 2020. There is so much to do. The entire process becomes more difficult during a pandemic.” Twitty finds some relief in the fact circuit clerks must notify voters who have filled out incorrect absentee ballots and allow them to correct the vote. This is to ensure that voters receive notice of the error within a day after a rejected ballot. They also need to return an absentee cure form within ten days. After being sued by Twitty, Mississippi’s secretary-of-state, Watson implemented the “cure”. He was accused of not expanding absentee voting access and failing to clarify guidelines for voting during a pandemic. Although the lawsuit was dismissed, Watson expanded curbside and open air voting to COVID-19-related symptoms, such as coughing, vomiting headaches, fever, sore throats, congestion, loss of taste or smell, and also extended curbside and open air voting to people with these conditions. Cynthia Parham, 51-year old Black woman living in Oxford with her husband (62 year-old) who has pulmonary disease, is named as the plaintiff in the suit against Watson. Parham has had five heart bypass surgeries, two stents placed in her heart, and also has diabetes and heart disease. In a declaration she made to the court, Parham stated that her health conditions could put her at greater risk of developing COVID-19, causing severe complications and possibly dying. Parham is not eligible to vote absentee despite all this. Parham regards voting as very important. People have died for it — but there is a high risk. Parham wrote, “If I am unable to vote by absentee ballot I will have to choose whether I want to vote in person or not – risking both my health and that of my husband.” “To refuse to vote would be devastating for me,” Parham wrote. The lawsuit was brought forward by the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law. Christy Wheeler (co-president) of LWVMS made a declaration for her organization. Her organization primarily serves 55-year-old women. Wheeler stated that the current Mississippi law would disenfranchise thousands, including many LWVMS members, if it was not amended to allow citizens to cast absentee ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wheeler spoke out to The 19th about Watson’s implementation of the “cure”, but expressed disappointment that his office did not make a mandate for voters that a mask be worn. According to a FAQ posted on the website of the secretary-of-state, voters will not be refused entry to their polling places if they don’t wear a mask. Watson stated that it is a constitutional right for voters to vote. However, they cannot force them to wear masks. However, poll managers must wear face protection. Wheeler stated that this is just another form voter intimidation. Wheeler, 72, has cast an absentee vote in person at the circuit clerk’s office. She is now focusing her energy on expanding Mississippi voting during the 2021 legislative session. COVID will not be going away soon. She stated that people across the country are upset at the failure to contain the pandemic. The same is true for Mississippi. Recently, the governor let the statewide mask requirement lapse and is now restoring it piecemeal to counties that have seen an increase in cases. Wheeler stated that this anger may result in an engaged electorate, which could be even better, given the historic Senate race. Wheeler stated, “I believe that the race has become closer than it was two-years ago.” “And I believe that the passionate people are going to vote… for a variety reasons. One, they don’t want give up their rights to vote.” This was Green’s first year voting in a presidential election. She drove three hours from Mississippi State University, Starkville, to Lamar County, in the southern part of state, two weekends prior to Election Day. Green, a student, meets one of the strict requirements to vote absentee in Mississippi. Green stated, “I got in there and got the job done and left on cloud nine.” “I love to celebrate our constitutional rights. “I can’t wait until I actually do it on Election Day.” She was excited about some amendments, in addition to voting for Republican leadership locally.
She voted for the amendments that she believes will help Mississippi move forward. Amendment 2 would eliminate a Jim Crow-era state provision that required statewide candidates win the popular vote as well as the most votes in all House districts. Green stated that she also voted for the proposed state flag design. In a vote earlier this year, legislators decided to remove the Confederate symbol from the flag’s central canton. Mississippi was the only nation to have such insignia on its flag. Green stated that she was thrilled to see the flag’s change. Green stated that she was very active on social media in encouraging the flag change and informing people. She also said she connected with relatives who felt that the flag’s removal was an insult to their heritage. She wanted them all to see that the flag was not a good representation of the state. She said that you can acknowledge the past while moving toward a better future. Green describes herself as a free thinker who studies the issues and decides whether or not she agrees with the Republican Party. It’s part of being young Republican, especially in college. She thinks Amy Coney Barrett “fabulous”, but she also believes Mitch McConnell’s decision not to rush the vote was hypocritical. He did this while he was within his job’s limits. She said that “it doesn’t mean there wasn’t egg on our faces for what we did back then in 2016 as a Republican Party to prevent President Obama from filling the Supreme Court seat.” Similar logic suggests that she doesn’t have anything against Hyde Smith for switching parties in recent years. Green argued that political views can change over time and can lead to drastic changes such as a party switching. Green still has issues with Espy. It’s not that he is a Democrat, but because she considers him untrustworthy. Espy, the U.S. secretary for agriculture, resigned after being interrogated about accepting inappropriate gifts. Espy was indicted in 1997 for the same offense, but he was cleared of all charges. Although Espy is a strong supporter of Hyde-Smith, the most important thing to Green at the end the day is Mississippi being cared for by Congress.