Ballot filled with Democrats

Published 12:25 am Friday, August 3, 2007

NATCHEZ — Even if you’re not a Democrat, the Democratic ballot might be more exciting this Tuesday.

While state races, such as governor, secretary of state and auditor have Republican candidates, the county has very few.

In fact, countywide, only two races — supervisor districts 1 and 2 — have Republicans running, and only one of them is contested between two Republicans.

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In the races where only Democrats are running, the primaries could decide who wins that office.

Election Commissioner Larry Gardner said the county has only received a few Republican absentee ballots.

“The Democrats have people running in every office, while the Republicans do not,” Gardner said. “That’s why the Republican ballots are significantly shorter.”

Since state law does not require voters to register as Republican or Democrat, a voter only has to ask for a ballot for either party in the primaries.

If there is a runoff, however, voters must vote in the same party runoff they did in the primaries, Gardner said.

And with just shy of 50 candidates running and so many Democrats, at least one runoff is almost guaranteed, he said.

Runoffs would be on Aug. 28.

In the meantime, the election commission, the circuit clerk’s office and both parties are wrapping up preparations.

While the election commission helps, the parties are in charge of operating primaries, Gardner said.

“It’s their show,” he said.

Audrey Seale, vice chair of the Adams County Democratic Executive Committee, said everything is almost ready.

And with such a long list of Democratic candidates, the party has its hands full.

“It’s a very big ballot,” Seale said. “It’s huge.”

Both the Democratic and Republican committees are finishing training poll workers this week.

Both parties also had trouble finding people to serve as poll workers, representatives said.

“It is a thankless job,” Seale said. “It’s very long hours for very little bit of pay. You have to want to do your civic duty to do that job.”

Sue Stedman, president of the Adams County Republican Executive Committee, said since the Republican ballot was shorter, they had a slightly easier job.

“I suspect most of our local voters are going to want to vote in the local races,” Stedman said.