As the Nov. 7 special election date approaches, the option to cast an absentee ballot is now available for the public.
Voter registration for the special election concluded on Saturday, Oct. 7.
The Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerk’s office will be open to complete an absentee ballot during normal business hours this month and will be open on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Nov. 4 will be the last day to complete an absentee ballot.
Just like at the polls, anyone voting absentee will need to show voter identification.
Absentee ballots provide residents with the opportunity to vote who will be absent on election day or will be unable to make it to the polls during the allotted time. This is often common with people who are out of town or work shifts during the allotted times the polls are open.
For those who are temporarily disabled, that person or a family member must be the ones to call in for the ballot.
Filing an absentee ballot can also prove to be useful during runoff elections, which if there is a runoff election it will take place close to Thanksgiving.
The special election will provide Oktibbeha County residents the opportunity to vote for the following open seats:
HOUSE DISTRICT 38
The Mississippi House of Representatives District 38 position covers parts of Clay County, Lowndes County and Oktibbeha County.
The seat was previously occupied by Rep. Tyrone Ellis, D-Starkville, who announced his retirement in June.
District 38 candidates are Narissa Bradford, Cheikh Taylor and Lisa Wynn. All candidates are running as independents.
CIRCUIT COURT
Oktibbeha County Circuit Court is a part of the 16th Circuit Court District, which includes Lowndes, Clay and Noxubee counties. The court handles both civil and criminal cases.
The circuit clerk candidates who qualified for the race are Teresa Davis, Sheryl Elmore, Tony Rook, Stephanie Morgan Snyder and Elaine Boykin Turner.
CHANCERY COURT
Chancery Court handles equity cases involving domestic and family matters such as divorce, child custody, child support, adoptions and other related issues. The court also handles all issues involving minors and commitments of persons with mental disabilities and other matters.
The chancery clerk candidates who qualified for the race are Tina M. Fisher, Martesa Bishop Flowers, Margaret Monique Jordan, Sharon Livingston, Barbara A. Mitchell and Hattie Ridgel.
CONSTABLE DISTRICT 1
The county constable’s duties are to keep and preserve the peace within his or her county by aiding and assisting in executing the criminal laws of the state for the Justice Court of their district.
The two candidates who qualified for the Constable District 1 race are Joe Morse and Shank Phelps.
The special election will also include a referendum vote, which will decide whether or not the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors will sell or lease OCH Regional Medical Center.
Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.