Turnout is important part of today’s race

Published 12:04 am Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Natchez voters head to the polls today to choose between two Democratic options to be the city’s next mayor.

Today, both options on the ballot have been there before — more than once.

The Democratic primary run-off election will pit two former Natchez mayors — Larry L. “Butch” Brown and Phillip “Bucket” West — against one another.

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It’s the battle of the ex-mayors.

The winner of today’s runoff election will ultimately face independent Bill Furlow and Republican Bob Buie in the June 5 general election.

Ironically, despite all of their combined experience in government, the outcome of today’s runoff may have more to do with turnout than with the candidates’ personalities, records or campaign promises.

Earlier this month, only four out of 10 registered voters in the City of Natchez bothered to go to the polls and vote in the Democratic primary election.

Since a number of aldermen races were also on the ballot two weeks ago, the chances are pretty slim that voter turnout today will reach even the 42-percent mark of the first primary.

We hope that estimate isn’t true. We hope all of the “experts” are surprised by better-than-expected turnout at the polls today.

We still believe between the two Democratic challengers, Brown has a better track record of bringing together diverse groups of city leaders and making some amazing things happen.

But regardless of which of the two candidates you support — or if you supported another candidate no longer in the race — we urge you to head to the polls today and cast a vote.