Today”s the big day — Election Day, when voters can decide who they want in congress and on local judges” benches in the coming years.
The main event is congressional races. In Starkville and Oktibbeha County, voters will be deciding between incumbent Republican Gregg Harper and little-known Democrat Joel Gill in a 3rd District race that isn”t expected to be close.
In the 1st District, which includes Columbus and Lowndes County, things are very different, and the race is hotly contested. Travis Childers, the Democratic incumbent, and Alan Nunnelee, the Republican challenger, are campaigning right up until polls close.
Circuit clerks throughout the 1st District are reporting a larger number of absentee ballots than usual, signaling a big turnout, driven by the congressional race.
The rest of the ballot in Lowndes and other counties are a little sleepy, with only a few judgeships and school board races. The main races there are the newly created Circuit Court Place 3 judgeship. West Point residents Lee Coleman, Bob Marshall and Nebra Porter are duking it out for that spot. Another circuit judgeship, Place 1, is a hot contest between incumbent Jim Kitchens of Caledonia and challenger William Starks of Columbus.
Whomever you plan to cast a ballot for, the important thing is you do so. Everyone”s vote can make a difference in a close race. Exercise your right and privilege to vote today.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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