NATCHEZ — On Friday morning circuit clerks from nearly 70 counties across Mississippi gathered at the Eola Hotel for the Mississippi Circuit Clerk’s Convention.

Adams County Circuit Clerk Eddie Walker said the event was an excellent opportunity for clerks statewide to share tips and attend valuable informational seminars.

On Friday morning convention goers attended a speech given by Mississippi’s Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann.

Hosemann spoke on a wide range of topics including voter I.D. reform in Mississippi and the need for preparedness in clerks’ offices across the state for the upcoming presidential election.

Walker said part of a circuit clerk’s duty is to register voters and work with the election commissioner to ensure a successful election.

Hosemann said this particular election year will be trying for clerks because early projections point to record turnouts at the polls.

“We’re 110 days from the big election,” he said.

Hosemann said those responsible for ensuring a smooth election were “sitting in the room with him,” referring to the clerks.

He likened Election Day to a final exam.

“That’s our test,” he said.

And Walker said he believes Adams County is ready for that test.

“We have some great people in the office,” he said.

And it’s those people Walker will be counting on to help him through the presidential election.

Walker took office in November when the former clerk was removed from office, just weeks before Walker was to have taken over after winning the election.

November’s election will be Walker’s first opportunity to act as clerk for a presidential election.

“I think it’s going to go well,” he said. “We’re blessed with an excellent election commissioner and staff.”

Aside from election matters, Walker said he thought most clerks would benefit from a seminar on the Statewide Election Management System — a type of training clerks receive that teach them how to manage virtually all aspects of the office.

“It really covers a myriad of topics,” he said.

“It should be informative.”

The conference concluded with a banquet on Friday night.