Voters go to polls Tuesday

Published 12:05 am Sunday, August 2, 2015

NATCHEZ — Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in a plethora of county and state elections.

Polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Four of five Adams County supervisor seats are up for grabs. Voters will choose between three candidates — incumbent Chuck Mayfield, Randy Freeman and Travis Patten — for Adams County sheriff. Contested seats for Circuit Court and Chancery Court clerks will be chosen, as will county tax assessor, coroner and constables.

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On the state level, Adams County residents will cast ballots for a variety of offices, including contested races for senator and state representatives.

Tuesday’s vote is a partisan primary election. In order to avoid a runoff election, candidates must earn 50 percent plus one vote. Runoff elections, if necessary, are scheduled for Aug. 25.

Primary winners will advance to the general election, set for Nov. 3.

Absentee voting ended at noon Saturday at the Adams County Circuit Clerk’s office.

Adams County Elections Commissioner Larry Gardner said absentee voting has been off from previous years.

“So far, the absentee voting has been light as compared to what we had four years ago,” Gardner said. “It’s summertime, everybody is home. Maybe they are just planning on voting in person.”

A number of new voters have registered recently, he said.

“They’ve done a good job throughout the county with voter registration and we’ve added a good number. Our problem is motivating them to actually get out and vote. Clear weather is predicted to continue until Friday. You have good local races to draw people out. We are surely hoping for good voter turnout,” Gardner said.

The only voting place change in this year’s race is in the Bellemont precinct. Previously voters there cast ballots at the former Elks Lodge on Lower Woodville Road. However, because that building is being sold, the voting place has moved to Crosspoint Church at 285 Highland Blvd.

“We sent a new voter registration card to all who vote there and notified them of the change and we’ll have signs at the Elks Lodge directing people to go to Crosspoint Church,” Gardner said.

Also, at the Airport Precinct, where voters typically cast ballots in the firehouse, voting will move to inside the terminal building. Gardner said signs there would direct voters.