The Webster Progress-Times

Candidates for sheriff, supervisor and constable will be among local races on the second Democratic and Republican primary ballots next Tuesday.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the county's 17 precincts. Fifty-six percent of Webster County's 7,539 registered voters cast ballots in the first primaries on Aug. 7.

Secretary of State Eric Clark commended the party county executive committees and the state executive committees - as well as Mississippi's circuit clerks and election commissioners - on a job well done in the first primary election.

"These dedicated officials have put in many long hours in a very grueling process under a lot of pressure to get us to this point," he stated. "They deserve our thanks and praise."

Those eligible to vote absentee in the second round of balloting may only do so through noon Saturday at the circuit clerk's office in the Courthouse at Walthall. By law, no one can vote by absentee in the clerk's office after that deadline, said Circuit Clerk Deborah Hood Neal.

Voters are cautioned that state law does not allow crossover voting in the runoff. That means, if a voter participated in the first Republican Party primary, that person cannot vote in the Democratic primary runoff. If a registered voter did not participate in either party's first primary, then he or she is allowed to cast a vote in the party primary runoff of his or her choice.

All runoffs on Aug. 28 are in the Democratic primary except one, and only two will be on ballots countywide.

In the race for sheriff, Democratic voters will choose between Phillip Bowen Smith and Deputy Sheriff Tim Mitchell. The winner will face Independent candidate Rocco "Rocky" Mumphrey in the November general election. Incumbent Reuben McCluskey did not seek a third term.

The only other runoff that will be on the Democratic ballot in all precincts is between state auditor candidates Todd Brand of Bailey and Mike Sumrall of Mount Olive. Brand, 33, is chair of the division of Fine Arts and Communication at Meridian Community College. Accountant Sumrall, 50, is a former career employee in the auditor's office and former administrator/chief financial officer for Forrest County.

The runoff winner will face in the November general election Republican state Sen. Stacey Pickering of Jones County. The post is open because Republican incumbent Phil Bryant pursued and won his party's nomination for lieutenant governor, and is running against Democrat Jamie Franks for that office in November.

All of the other runoffs are for district races. District 5 voters will choose between Doug Burgess and Jeff McMinn as the Democratic nominee for supervisor. The winner will meet Republican primary winner Charles McClellan in November. Democratic incumbent Casey Weeks did not seek re-election.

District 5 polling places are the Fame precinct building, Clarkson Fire Department, Cumberland Fire Department and Mantee City Hall.

Voters in Justice Court/Constable District 1 will elect a new constable, as the Democratic nominees will not face any opponents in November. They will decide between Jeffery "Mark" Jones and Howard Rodgers to replace McMinn, who now holds that office.

Precincts in that district are Eupora No. 2, Mathiston, Maben, Big Black, Fame, Clarkson, Cumberland and Mantee.

The only Republican primary runoff will be for District 4 supervisor nominee between Mike Adams and Earl Frost. The winner meets Democratic incumbent Larry Crowley in November.

District 4 polling places are the Mathiston Public Library, the agricultural building at West Oktibbeha High School (Maben precinct) and the District 4 county barn (Big Black precinct).

The circuit clerk's office is testing the touch screen voting machines today and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public may attend and witness the testing. Anyone with questions may contact the circuit clerk's office at 258-6287.