NATCHEZ — All four counties that comprise Senate District 37 are counting absentee ballots today, and though some anticipate finishing the count by days end or tomorrow, others say results may not be available until Monday.

Republican Melanie Sojourner leads Democrat Bob M. Dearing in the race by 494 votes, according to unofficial results from the polls.

Approximately 1,800 absentees remain across the district, though the exact number of absentees has not been confirmed. Several counties reported to The Democrat today that they did not know how many absentee ballots they had.