NATCHEZ — The two men vying for the Democratic nomination for mayor are not worried about each other. Instead, it is the voters who present concerns.

With only 42 percent of registered Natchez voters hitting the polls on May 1 for the primary election, candidates Larry L. “Butch” Brown and Phillip West said they are concerned voter turnout will be even lower for Tuesday’s election

Only 4,496 of 10,661 registered voters cast ballots during the May 1 mayoral primary election between Brown, West and current Mayor Jake Middleton.

Brown and West say they have not changed their political strategy going into the runoff election, but they are concentrating on knocking on doors and encouraging people to get out and vote Tuesday.

Brown said he has been contacting residents who voted in the first primary and encouraging them to return to the polls, and he said he has also been contacting residents who did not vote and reminding them of the importance of casting their votes.

“There’s always an outcry when something goes wrong in city government, and I think if the records could show it, the loudest noises come from the people who don’t vote,” Brown said. “So we’re just trying to remind people to get out there and make their voices heard through their vote.”

West said he has also been reminding voters that Tuesday’s election is very important.

“Hopefully people will see the significance of the election and come out and vote,” West said. “I’m hopeful that the people will choose the best candidate for the job, and I think that is me.”

Election Commission Chairman Larry Gardner said he anticipates a lower voter turnout for the runoff than the primary election, but he said he at least hopes turnout reaches 42 percent.

“That was a low number to begin with,” Gardner said. “Historically, you get lower turnout with fewer candidates, but I am hoping people every last vote counts.”

Gardner said voters again should keep in mind that the recent race for the District 4B seat on the Concordia Parish Police Jury was decided by just one vote.

“Don’t think your one vote might not change the election,” he said. “You need to get out and voice your opinion and choose whatever candidate you think is going to do the best job.”