STARKVILLE — For runoff candidates in Oktibbeha County, much of their campaigning over the last three weeks has centered around getting voters to show up and vote for them again.
Typically in Oktibbeha County, there”s a 14 percent increase in voters from primary to general elections and a 22 percent jump during presidential elections.
But the trend goes the opposite direction during runoffs, evidenced by the 10 percent dip in voter turnout during the 2007 primary runoffs.
“I”ve been through a lot these, and it”s always been a challenge getting people back out to the polls,” said incumbent sheriff candidate Dolph Bryan, who is entering a runoff for the second straight election cycle. “It hasn”t necessarily changed by approach; I”m still going out on weekends, working on my campaign every night until 10 or 11 o”clock.”
Despite a trend in lower voter turnout in runoffs, some candidates are optimistic the voter turnout will be near the 38 percent that showed up Aug. 2.
“I”m confident people will get back out,” said Oktibbeha Circuit Clerk Democratic candidate Teresa Davis-Roberson said. “People in our county are very informed and I”m optimistic the turnout will be one of the highest we”ve had in a runoff.”
Roberson finished the Aug. 2 primary with 2,116 votes (38.51 percent), nearly 800 ahead of Debra Prisock Wood, who edged two other candidates by 336 votes.
The winner of the runoff will face unopposed Republican nominee Glenn Hamilton in November. The winner in November will replace Angie McGinnis, who is not seeking reelection.
While getting voters back to the polls is a challenge, securing new votes can alter a candidate”s approach to a runoff.
Tax assessor/collector Democratic candidate Deborah Carrithers earned 2,408 votes, 430 more than runoff opponent Velesia Wynn on Aug. 2. She said her focus lately on getting more votes from the Oktoc, Blackjack and Sessums areas, where she was either edged by a slim margin or lost in the primary.
“It”s been tough for me because we”ve been shorthanded in the tax office,” Carrithers said. “I haven”t been able to take off work, so most of my campaigning has been on the weekends. But I feel good about my 14 years of experience and relationships with people as far as getting the people who voted for me back out on Tuesday.”
Wynn said her campaign message has focused on automating the tax office.
“We should be able to pay our taxes and car tags online,” Wynn said. “There are 13 counties already doing that.”
Carrithers and Wynn will look to secure 1,145 votes leftover from JoHelen Walker, who finished third in the primary. The winner will face unopposed Republican candidate Allen Morgan in November.
The race for the Democratic nomination for Oktibbeha County sheriff will see incumbent Dolph Bryan, who has served in the role since 1976, face first-time candidate Steve Gladney. Bryan earned 36 percent of the votes and finished with a 700-vote edge over Gladney in the primary. Gladney sweated through absentee and affidavit counts with three-time sheriff candidate Charles Sanders before officially clinching a spot in the runoff by 54 votes.
“I love what I do, but the election itself is very draining and expensive,” Bryan said. “Still, it”s as exciting as it”s been every other time.”
Gladney said he”s unsure of what to expect in the runoff since he has to make up significant ground. He said he”s focused mainly on east Starkville and Maben, where he finished third in primary votes.
The six-candidate field for the Democratic bid for District 5 Supervisor will see incumbent John L. Young face Joe L. Williams. Young finished with 427 votes, nearly 35 percent, while Williams who earned 292 votes. The winner there will secure the seat. There are no Republican or independent candidates.
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