By Staff
From staff and wire reports
October 29, 2004
JACKSON A dead-heat presidential race nationally and several state and local issues are fueling a high number of absentee ballots cast in circuit clerk offices across Mississippi.
Voters who are unable to physically go the polls on Tuesday, Election Day, can vote by absentee ballot. The deadline to vote absentee in person at county courthouses is Saturday.
Several circuit clerks will open their office Saturday including Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk Donna Jill Johnson, whose office will be open until noon. Johnson said her office has received about 2,000 absentee ballots.
Secretary of State Eric Clark is expected to make his election day turnout prediction on Monday, but has said he expects a record number of voters at the polls.
Besides Lauderdale County, other counties also have seen an big interest in absentee ballots this year.
In Harrison County, Connie Ladner, chief deputy circuit clerk, said approximately 7,000 new voters were registered between Aug. 1 and Oct. 1.
Ladner said her office has had 3,796 requests for absentee ballots. Four years ago, that number was 2,223.
Pontotoc County Circuit Clerk Tracy Robinson said absentee ballots have surpassed those requested for last year's county elections. She said the northeast Mississippi county has received more than 500 absentee ballots so far. Last year, there were 403.
On the ballot Tuesday in Mississippi will be races for the U.S. House in the four congressional districts, four state Supreme Court posts and a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
Nationally, the war in Iraq, a lackluster national economy and terrorism are among the issues sparking interest in the presidential race.
Lou Ellen Adams, circuit clerk for Forrest County, said many local voters are interested in a proposed $12 million bond issue to fund athletic improvements at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.
Adams said the activity in her office has been so brisk, "I hadn't even had time to stop and count the ballots."