By Staff
JAYCEE BUILDING Harold Catlett, left, assists Lauri Brown as she holds her daughter, Laura Ashley Brown, while signing in at the Republican Party booth at the Jaycee building today. Brown cast her vote for District 1 supervisor and several other statewide candidates in today's runoff election. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Aug. 26, 203
Sidney Covington passed out doughnuts to poll workers at the Jaycee Building while her opponent Eddie Harper put out signs and banners.
Both candidates for Lauderdale County District 1 supervisor, a race that will be decided in today's Republican Party runoff, were out making last-minute campaign efforts.
Covington joked with her husband moments after he cast his vote, asking him "Who'd you vote for?" Covington said she hasn't been nervous.
Meanwhile, Harper returned from a long morning of campaigning and took a shower before heading to the Bailey Volunteer Fire Department to vote.
The District 1 race in Lauderdale County is the only runoff in the county. Because no Democrats, independents or third-party candidates are seeking the office, the winner of the runoff automatically gets the job.
Even though the District 1 race is the only local runoff, all county voters can still go to the polls to help settle three state races: The Democratic nominee for state treasurer and the GOP nominee for agriculture commissioner and state treasurer.
Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk Donna Jill Johnson said she expects a low turnout today compared to the Aug. 5 primary.
At the Jaycee building on Highway 39, one of the largest precincts in District 1, turnout was low early today. A total of 78 people had cast votes by 8:25 a.m., about 30 less than at the same time Aug. 5.
Of the 78 voters, five were Democrats and the rest were Republicans.
Meanwhile, in surrounding counties, several key runoffs will decide which Republicans and Democrats will represent their parties in the Nov. 4 general election, including, among others, the Democratic candidate for sheriff in Kemper County and chancery clerk in Clarke County.
Several supervisor races will also be decided in Newton and Neshoba counties.
In Lauderdale County, most attention in recent weeks has been focused on the District 1 supervisor's race. Five candidates originally sought the job; Covington and Harper advanced to the runoff.
Covington said she planned on getting a mammogram later today.
Harper said he planned on driving disabled people to the polls.