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Yalobusha Has Record Votes In 2008 Presidential Election

By David Howell
Editor

    Sen. Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States last Tuesday. In Yalobusha, 46 percent of the voters cast their lot in favor of Obama in a record-setting turnout according to Circuit Clerk Daryl Burney.  Sen. John McCain received 53 percent of the votes cast in Yalobusha.    

    The turnout in Yalobusha County edged close to 70 percent, with 6,826 voters participating.

    Nationally Sen. Barack Obama received 364 electoral votes and 53 percent of the popular vote while Sen. John McCain received 163 electoral votes and 46 percent of the popular votes. Obama will be sworn in on Jan. 20.

    The only county issue on the ballot last Tuesday was a proposition allowing District Three voters to determine the fate of a $250,000 General Obligation Road and Bridge Bond. Over 61 percent of the electorate in District Three voted against the proposition, defeating it. State law requires more than 60 percent to vote in favor of a bond to pass.

    Only voters in District Three could vote on the issue, which was forced on the ballot after 489 registered voters from District Three signed a petition asking for a vote on the bond.

Other Races

    In a special election, District 17 Circuit Judge Jimmy McClure retained his seat after his appointment last year to fill the unexpired term of Ann Lamar. McClure received almost 23,000 or 57 percent or  of the 40,000-plus votes in Yalobusha, Panola, Tallahatchie and Tate counties.

    In Yalobusha, McClure polled 3,424 votes compared to Murphey’s 3,002 votes.

    All five Yalobusha Election commissioners were elected without opposition. The commissioners, who serve four-year terms include Steve Cummings in District One, Missy Kimzey in District Two, Carla Peacock in District Three, Ora Fay Polk in District Four and June Byford in District Five.

    This will be Peacock’s first term after she was appointed earlier this year by the supervisors to fill the unexpired term of Bob Chandler.

    In other state races, Republican incumbent Thad Cochran defeated Erik Fleming in the Senate race. In the special election to fill the second Senate seat in the state, Republican Roger Wicker defeated Ronnie Musgrove.

    Democrat Travis Childers was elected as the 1st Congressional District Representative, defeating Republican opponent Greg Davis.

(Webmasters note: Go to the next item for full election results in a .PDF file.)

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