Turnout Could Be Heavy In November Election
Turnout Could Be Heavy In November Election
If the interest in Monday night’s Presidential debate with an estimated 80 million viewers is any indication, turnout in November’s election could be heavy. The November 8 ballot includes the highly publicized presidential bid between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton as well as state and local races.
Yalobusha voters will help determine the successor for Justice Ann Lamar, who decided not to seek another term in the District 3 Supreme Court race. Four candidates have qualified for this non-partisan position – Columbus attorney John Brady, 17th District Circuit Judge Bobby Chamberlin of Hernando, Tupelo attorney Steve Crampton and 16th District Circuit Judge James T. “Jim” Kitchens. District 3 spans 33 counties in North Mississippi.
Chris Terry is the sole qualifier for the District 5 position in the Water Valley School District, the only WV seat scheduled to be on the ballot this year. The position will not appear on the November ballot because it is uncontested. Terry’s five-year term will start in January.
In the Coffeeville School District, three seats were up for grabs but only one will appear on the ballot after District 5 incumbent Todd Hughes qualified to seek another term and will face Mitchell Steen, who is also seeking the position.
Larry Bland qualified for the District 4 position and is unopposed. Charlotte Dailey qualified for the District 3 position and is also unopposed. She will serve the remaining year before the term ends and the position will be back on the ballot. The District 3 slot was vacated last year by Timothy Booker after he successfully ran for District 4 supervisor.
November’s election will also include a locally contested race for voters who live in District 4 after Eddie Harris and Patsy K. Stewart qualified for District 4 Election Commissioner. The winner will succeed Ora Faye Polk, who decided not to seek another term.
Election commissioners are elected every four years from each supervisor district. Incumbents Steve Cummings (District 1), Missy Kimzey (District 2) and Carla Peacock (District 3) are unopposed on the November ballot after they were the sole qualifiers in their respective districts. In District 5, Vivian Simmons was also the sole qualifier for election commissioner after June Byford also opted not to seek another term.
Important Dates
Voters and potential voters need to take note that Saturday, October 8, is the deadline to register for the November election or to update voter information. The Circuit Clerk offices in Water Valley and Coffeeville will be open until noon on Oct. 8 in accordance with state law.
In addition to new voters, Circuit Clerk Daryl Burney also urges voters who have moved and not updated their new address to stop by one of his offices.
Absentee voting is also underway for the November election. In Mississippi, registered voters are eligible to vote absentee because of age, health or work demands, or their affiliation with the U.S. Armed Forces. For example, voters who will be outside their county of residence on election day are entitled to vote by absentee ballot.
Both courthouses will also be open until noon for absentee voting the last two Saturdays before the election. The last date to cast an absentee ballot is Nov. 5.
