NATCHEZ — Adams County voters head to the polls today to cast ballots in the partisan primary in several county races, including sheriff, supervisor in four of five county districts, circuit and chancery clerk, coroner, tax assessor, constables and state senate and representative races.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. at Adams County’s 19 voting places.

Unfortunately, Larry Gardner, a member of the Adams County Election Commission, will miss today’s election. He is in St. Dominic’s in Jackson, recovering from unexpected heart surgery. A friend, who answered his cell phone on Monday afternoon, said Gardner was just coming out of surgery, after having suffered a heart attack on Monday morning.

Eddie Walker, Adams County Circuit Clerk, said about 690 absentee ballots were cast by the deadline on Saturday.

“We did have a surge on Saturday. It was steady from 8 to noon. People were literally lined up the whole morning,” he said.

That number — 690 — is low, compared to other elections.

“Four years ago, we had in the neighborhood of 1,200 absentee ballots cast,” Walker said. “I’m not sure what that means. I still think that a lot of people are going to cast a ballot in person today.”

Walker reminded residents Mississippi law requires voters to bring photo identification in order to vote.

“Be sure to bring a suitable, government-issued photo ID of some sort,” he said.