Candidate Connection 2019

Union County

2019 Candidate Connection A supplement of the New Albany Gazette

AUGUST 6 PRIMARY SAMPLE BALLOTS Voters will have to choose which of the two parties they want to vote in. Races that are uncontested within each party will not appear on the primary ballot, but will be on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Democratic Party Countywide: Sheriff o Danny Dillard o Jimmy Edwards (i) Circuit Clerk o Phyllis Stanford (i) Tax Assessor-Collector o Tameri Dunnam(i) Medical ExaminerInvestigator o Pam Boman (i) o Gabriel Wilson County District: Supervisor 1 o Evan Denton (i) o Gary Floyd o Carl Graham o Paul Patterson o Sam Taylor Supervisor 2 o Chad Coffey (i) Supervisor 4 o Randy Owen (i) o Keith Roberts Supervisor 5 o Steve Watson (i) Justice Court Judge East o David “Bruno” Garrison (i) Justice Court Judge West o Chris Childers (i) Constable East o Mickey McGill Constable West o Ronnie Goudy (i) State district:

Northern District Transportation Commissioner o Joe T. “Joey” Crist Northern District Public Service Commissioner o Brandon Presley (i) District 13 Representative o Pamela J. Denham District 3 Senator o Tim Tucker Statewide: Governor o Michael Brown o William Bond Compton Jr. o Jim Hood o Robert J. Ray o Robert Shuler Smith o Gregory Walsh o Phillip “Bucket” West o Velesha Williams o Albert Wilson Lieutenant Governor o Jay Hughes Secretary of State o Johnny DuPree o Marya Hodges Hunt Attorney General o Jennifer Riley Collins Treasurer o Addie Lee Green Insurance Commissioner o Robert E. Amos Commissioner Of Agriculture And Commerce o Rickey L. Cole

Republican Party Countywide:

District 14 Representative o Sam Creekmore IV o Robbins Ellis Rogers

Sheriff o Brandon Garrett o William Ashley Kidd

District 18 Representative o Jerry R. Turner (i)

Chancery Clerk o Annette M. Hickey (i)

District 3 Senator o Kathy L. Chism o Jeffrey Mitchell o Jeff Olson o Kevin Walls

County Prosecuting Attorney o Joe Marshall Davis (i) County District: Supervisor 1 o Jerry C. Burke Supervisor 2 o Jim Gann Supervisor 3 o C. J. Bright o David A. Kitchens (i) Supervisor 4 o Tommy “Junior” Courtney Constable East o P J Doyle (i) State district: Northern District Transportation Commissioner o Trey Bowman o John Caldwell o A. Hathcock o Jeremy A. Martin o Geoffrey O. Yoste District Attorney District 3 o Ben Creekmore (i) District 13 Representative o Steve Massengill (i)

Statewide: Governor o Robert Foster o Tate Reeves o William Waller Jr. Lieutenant Governor o Delbert Hosemann o Shane Quick Secretary of State o Sam Britton o Michael Watson Attorney General o Mark Baker o Lynn Fitch o Andy Taggart Auditor o Shad White Treasurer o Eugene S. “Buck” Clark o David McRae Insurance Commissioner o Mike Chaney (i) Commissioner Of Agriculture And Commerce o Andy Gipson (i)

Kathy Chism MS State Senate District 3 Republican Primary I am happy to announce that I, Kathy Chism, am running for the 2019 Republican Primary Election MS State District 3 Senate Seat, which encompasses Union, Pontotoc and Benton counties.

With 29 years business ownership, 11 years as a Realtor and 61 years as part of the State District 3 community, I feel I am well qualiÀed to do the best job possible with your best intrest at heart. I take much pride in the community and will work extremely hard for each of you.

I am a very strong Conservative Republican.

I am PRO-LIFE and PRO-2ND AMENDMENT GUN RIGHTS! I am available to answer any questions you may have and hope that I will gain your support in this election.

- Kathy Leath Chism

IT’S ELECTION TIME AGAIN This is Mississippi’s big election year for county, district and state offices. Only municipal elections, coming in a subsequent year, will not be included.

Every current county official has qualified to seek re-election and about half of them managed to avoid challengers, meaning they have their jobs for four more years.

That includes Circuit Clerk Phyllis Stanford, Chancery Clerk Annette Hickey, Tax Assessor-Collector Tameri Dunnam, Fifth District Supervisor Steve Watson, County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Marshall Davis, West Post Justice Court Judge Chris Childers, East Post Justice Court Judge David Garrison and West Post Constable Ronnie Goudy.

The largest local field is for First District supervisor with six candidates followed by sheriff with four hopefuls.

Some of the state and state district fields are fairly large and some incumbents are seeking re-election while others are running for different posts entirely.

There has been a smattering of election news since the March 1 qualifying deadline but that is changing. That’s because the party primaries are coming up Aug. 6 to select party nominees but the general election not until three months after that.

The Aug. 6 vote will be for each of the two main political parties, to select their nominees to go on to the general election.

Democratic primary county races that will be contested and will eliminate some candidates include sheriff, coroner, First District supervisor and Fourth District supervisor.

Contested Republican primaries will be for sheriff and Third District supervisor.

The small number of contested offices may draw a low voter turnout, but on the other hand the sheriff and supervisor races historically tend to draw more voter interest.

Voters will have to choose either Democratic or Republican ballots to vote on Aug. 6. The winners of the coroner’s and Third District supervisor’s primaries will be unopposed in the general election.

Several of the state and state district offices will be contested in the primaries also.

The Nov. 5 ballots will have both Democratic and Republican candidates as well as some Independent and so-called third party candidates.

Included in this publication is information designed to help you participate in our democratic process more easily.

CONTENTS Aug. 6 sample ballots

Which districts do you live in?

Election explanation

How to vote an absentee ballot

What is a primary?

House and Senate district precincts

Who can or can’t vote?

Q and A about voter IDs

Where to you vote?

Qualifications to vote

Union County precinct map

Space for your notes about candidates

Duties and responsibilities of officials

Mail-in voter registration form

WHAT, EXACTLY, IS A PRIMARY ELECTION? The primary election will be Aug. 6, but many people are confused about what it really is.

For decades, only Democratic candidates ran in elections locally so the primary effectively served as an election, but that’s not what it really is.

With more Republican and thirdparty candidates running, the function of the primary becomes more important.

A primary election is an election used either to narrow the field of candidates for a given elective office or to determine the nominees for political parties in advance of a general election.

In our case its function is more like a convention to nominate than an election.

Primary elections can take several different forms. In a partisan primary, which we have, voters

select a candidate to be a political party’s nominee for a given office in the corresponding general election.

Nonpartisan primaries are used to narrow the field of candidates for nonpartisan offices in advance of a general election.

The terms of participation (e.g., whether only registered party members can vote in a party’s primary) in primary elections can vary by jurisdiction, political party, and the office or offices up for election. The methods employed to determine the outcome of the primary (e.g., plurality systems, majority systems, top-two systems, etc.) can also vary by jurisdiction.

Section 23-15-575 of the Mississippi Code stipulates that a voter is only eligible to participate in a party’s primary if he or she “intends to support the nominations made the primary in which he participates.”

That means no crossover voting, participating in one party’s primary and then voting in the other party’s runoff, if there is on.

Because there is generally no ready proof of a voter’s intentions, FairVote and the National Conference of State Legislatures classify Mississippi’s primary elections as open.

In Mississippi, a primary candidate must win a majority of the votes cast for the office he or she is seeking in order to secure the nomination. If no candidate for an office wins a majority of votes cast in the primary, a runoff election between the top two vote-getters is held.

One cannot vote in the Democratic primary, for instance, and then vote in the Republican runoff.

But if someone does not vote in the primary he or she can choose either party runoff.

WHO CAN AND CANNOT VOTE? Basically, anyone who is a fulltime resident of the county, state or district he or she wants to vote in, and who will be 18 years old on or before Nov. 5.

People convicted of certain crimes are not allowed to vote, however.

Based upon the most recent Attorney General’s Opinion dated July 9, 2009, directed to The Honorable Wallace Heggie, the following comprise disenfranchising crimes: 1. Arson

2. Armed Robbery 3. Bigamy 4. Bribery 5. Embezzlement 6. Extortion 7. Felony Bad Check 8. Felony Shoplifting 9. Forgery 10. Larceny 11. Murder 12. Obtaining Money or Goods under False Pretenses 13. Perjury

14. Rape 15. Receiving Stolen Property 16. Robbery 17. Theft 18. Timber Larceny 19. Unlawful Taking of Motor Vehicle 20. Statutory Rape 21. Carjacking 22. Larceny Under Lease or Rental Agreement

Please Help Re-Elect

JImmy Edwards Sheriff • Life long resident of Union County • Member of the Mississippi Sheriff Association and National Sheriff Association • 20 Years of Law Enforcement Experience in Union County as Deputy, Narcotics Investigator, Criminal Investigator, Chief Deputy & Sheriff for 2 Terms • Married to Larissa Edwards, with 3 Children and 4 Grandchildren.

• Member of Harmony Baptist Church

Dedicated. Knowledgeable.

Experienced.

WHERE DO I VOTE? Union County used to have many smaller precincts, but several years ago combined the 39 then in use to the present-day 20.

If you are not sure which precinct you live in, check with the cirecuit clerk’s office in the courthouse.

Below are the actual physical addresses of the county’s polling places.

Prcnct Precinct Name

Voters

Polling Place

Address

101 102 103 104 201 202 203 204 301 302 303 304 401 402 403 404 501 502 503 504

359 269 1,282 905 492 750 1,157 1,051 490 1,106 945 790 562 958 482 1,019 1,653 686 352 481

Macedonia Community Center Blythe Voting Building Temple Baptist FLB American Legion Hut Pinedale Fire Station West Union School New Albany Sportsplex Ingomar School Ingomar Fire Station Courthouse Central Maintenance Beacon Hill Fire Station Blue Springs Town Hall Hillcrest Church Center Baptist Church East Union School NE Community College Keownville Pleasant Ridge Jericho Baptist Church

1022 CR 26, Myrtle 1244 CR 10, Hickory Flat 1026 North St, Myrtle 113 Fairground Circle, New Albany 1239 St. Hwy. 355, Etta 1610 St. Highway 30 W., Myrtle 1165 Bratton Rd., New Albany 1616 CR 86, New Albany 1521 Lot 1 CR 101, New Albany 114 E. Bankhead St, New Albany 844 St. Hwy. 15 N., New Albany 1025 CR 278, New Albany 1182 St. Hwy. 9 S., Blue Springs 216 St. Hwy. 15 S, New Albany 1710 CR 121, Blue Springs 1554 St. Hwy. 9 S., Blue Springs 301 North St., New Albany 1471 St. Hwy. 30 E., New Albany 2075 CR 180, New Albany 2179 CR 171, Baldwyn

Macedonia Blythe Myrtle Glenfield Pinedale West Union Sportsplex Ingomar King’s Chapel Courthouse Central Maintenance Beacon Hill Blue Springs Hillcrest Church Center East Union NE Community College Keownville Pleasant Ridge Jericho

Total Number of Precincts 20

15,789 Total Active Voter Count

MAP OF UNION COUNTY’S 20 VOTING PRECINCTS

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Below is a list of some of the duties and responsibilities of Union County’s elected officials.

These are abbreviated lists, particularly in the case of the board of supervisors, who have many more responsibilities than shown here.

Chancery Clerk The chancery clerk’s primary duties lie within the chancery court.

Elected at large for a four-year term, the chancery clerk is responsible for attending all sessions of chancery court and keeping all minute books in which records and directions of the chancellor and proceedings of the court are kept.

State law prescribes that the chancery clerk record and preserve all land records recordable in the county. Such records include deeds of trusts, mortgages, mineral leases, and plats of land surveys.

The clerk or deputy clerk also receives all bills, petitions, motions, accounts, inventories, and other papers and reports on behalf of the county.

Article 6, § 170 of the Mississippi Constitution requires that the clerk of the chancery court also serve as clerk for the board of supervisors.

The clerk is also responsible for preparing the “docket of claims.”

The claims docket is a list of all claims or financial demands against the county in the order in which they are received.

Circuit Clerk The circuit court clerk, elected at large to a four-year term, has primary duties that lie within the circuit court. The circuit clerk keeps a general court docket in which all names and parties in each case, plea, indictment, record from inferior courts on appeal, and other papers are entered

and referenced to the minute book and page. The clerk also keeps an appearance docket. It contains all civil cases not triable in the first term of court, after they have begun, in the order in which they are commenced. The circuit clerk is also responsible for keeping the subpoena docket and the execution docket.

The circuit clerk also has administrative duties in the election process. The circuit clerk serves as a registrar for voters in the county.

Candidates pursuing a county office or seat in the state legislature must pay a filing fee to the circuit clerk of the candidate’s county of residence by 5:00 p.m. on March 1 of the year in which the primary election for the office is held or on the date of the qualifying deadline provided by statute for the office, whichever is earlier.

The circuit clerk issues marriage licenses and passports.

Constable The office of constable is filled through election by district for a four-year term. These districts are established as “single member election districts” by the board of supervisors. Each district will have the same boundaries as the districts established for justice court judges.

A constable’s general duties are “to keep and preserve the peace within his county, by faithfully aiding and assisting in executing the criminal laws of the state.” In addition, the constable is required to at-

tend the justice court of his district and execute all judgments in any criminal case before the court.

Coroner The office of coroner is filled through an at-large election. A county coroner serves a four-year term, with the office-holder eligible to immediately succeed themselves.

Each candidate for the office of coroner must, as a minimum, possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, be twenty-one (21) years of age or older, and be a qualified elector of the county in which elected.

Each coroner elected is recognized as a county medical examiner (CME) or county medical examiner investigator (CMEI). A CME is a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or osteopathic medicine (D.O.) licensed in the state of Mississippi, while a CMEI is a nonphysician possessing, as a minimum, a high school diploma or its equivalent. The coroner is then designated the chief medical examiner or chief medical examiner investigator for the county following the completion of the Death Investigation Training School.

The CME/CMEI is responsible for assuring readily available death investigators for the county twentyfour (24) hours-a day for the investigation of all deaths “affecting the public interest.”

A death affecting the public interest includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (i) Violent death, including homicidal, suicidal, or accidental death. (ii) Death caused by thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation injury. (iii) Death caused by criminal abortion, including self-induced abortion, or abortion related to sexual abuse. (iv) Death related to disease thought to be virulent or contagious, which may constitute a public hazard. (v) Death that has occurred unexpectedly or from an unexplained cause. (vi) Death of a person confined in a prison, jail, or correctional institution. (vii) Death of a person where a physician was not in attendance within thirty-six (36) hours preceding death, or in prediagnosed terminal or bedfast cases, within thirty (30) days preceding death. (viii) Death of a person where the body is not claimed by a relative or a friend. (ix) Death of a person where the identity of the deceased is unknown. (x) Death of a child under the age of two (2) years where death results from an unknown cause or where the circumstances surrounding the death indicate that sudden infant death syndrome may be the cause of death. (xi) Where a body is brought into this state for disposal and there is reason to believe either that the death was not investigated properly or that there is not an adequate certificate of death. (xii) Where a person is present-

ed to a hospital emergency room unconscious and/or unresponsive, with cardiopulmonary resuscitative measures being performed, and dies within twenty-four (24) hours of admission without regaining consciousness or responsiveness, unless a physician was in attendance within thirty-six (36) hours preceding presentation to the hospital, or in cases in which the decedent had a prediagnosed terminal or bedfast condition, unless a physician was in attendance within thirty (30) days preceding presentation to the hospital. (xiii) Death that is caused by drug overdose or which is believed to be caused by drug overdose. (xiv) When a stillborn fetus is delivered and the cause of the demise is medically believed to be from the use by the mother of any controlled substance.

Justice Court Judge The justice court judge, elected to a four-year term, has jurisdiction over all civil actions for the recovery of debts or damages for personal property where the principle debt, amount of demand, or the value of the property to be recovered in court does not exceed $3,500.00. Justice court judges have jurisdiction over criminal violations in the county in the same manner as the circuit court. However, criminal proceedings only occur in the justice court where the punishment does not extend beyond a fine and imprisonment in the county jail. No justice court judge may preside over a trial in any situation where there is personal interest.

Each justice court judge is required to reside in the county which they serve for two (2) years prior to the election. A candidate for the position of justice court judge is also required to be a high school graduate or have a general equivalency diploma unless he served as a justice of the peace prior to January 1, 1976.

Sheriff The office of sheriff is filled through an at-large election. A sheriff serves a four-year term or until his successor shall be qualified. A sheriff is eligible to immediately succeed himself in office.

The sheriff’s duties are widespread and far-reaching, but they generally fall into two broad categories: law enforcement and administrative. The law enforcement duties are the duties typically associated with the sheriff’s office. These duties are specifically “to keep the peace within the county, by causing all offenders in his view to enter into bonds, with sureties, for keeping the peace and for appearing at the next circuit court, and by committing such offenders in case of refusal.” The sheriff is also charged with the duty to “quell riots, routs, affrays and unlawful assemblages, and to prevent lynchings and mob violence.”

The administrative duties for the sheriff are numerous. One of the most recognizable administrative duties of the sheriff is to serve as the county’s jailor, except in any county in which there is a jointly owned jail.

Another duty of the sheriff is to

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES “have charge of the courthouse and jail of his county, of the premises belonging thereto, and of the prisoners in said jail.” This includes the protection of the court and prisoners from mob violence, injuries or attacks by mobs, and from trespasses and intruders.

Tax Assessor/Collector The offices of tax assessor and tax collector are elected for fouryear terms by the county at large.

The county assessor must, by personal inspection and examination, gather and record any and all available data and information bearing upon the location, number, amount, kind, and value of any and all property and persons which he is required by law to assess. The assessor must keep a list of all persons subject to assessment in his county.

He must note all removals from the county or from one precinct to another within the county and add the names of all persons subject to assessment moving into his county.

Another duty of the assessor is to inquire into the purchase price paid for any property, real or personal, and to ascertain and acquaint himself with any sales or transfers of property of similar description or value made or effected in the vicinity, within the year or years next preceding the listing for assessment then being made. The price paid for property should be considered by the assessor in determining the value of property listed for assessment.

The county tax assessor has the right, power, and authority to require an inspection of a property owner’s books and accounts, papers, memo-

randa, and records, and from this inspection make an estimate of the value of property. The assessor may also question the owner, agent, or employees of the owner about the actual cash value of any property subject to assessment. The assessor has the right and power to inquire into and ascertain the insured value of any and all property, or into the value at which the property has been insured previously. This includes the amount of fire insurance carried on all stocks of merchandise or goods kept for use or sale, machinery, fixtures, and other property.

If the assessor believes or has reason to believe that the list of taxable property furnished by any person is incomplete or incorrect, or if any property has been undervalued, they shall assess the same and add it to the assessment roll at its true value.

In counties that have not separated the offices of assessor and collector, the assessor collects all taxes, including but not limited to ad valorem and privilege taxes, charges, and fees of every kind and by the twentieth day of the month following collection, pay same to the collecting political subdivision without retaining any portion for his services.

Powers And Duties Of The Board Of Supervisors Each county shall be divided into five districts, a resident freeholder of each district shall be selected, in the manner prescribed by law, and the five so chosen shall constitute the board of supervisors of the county, a majority of whom may transact business. The board of supervisors shall

have full jurisdiction over roads, ferries, and bridges, to be exercised in accordance with such regulations as the legislature may prescribe, and perform such other duties as may be required by law; provided, however, that the legislature may have the power to designate certain highways as “state highways,” and place such highways under the control and supervision of the state highway commission, for construction and maintenance. The clerk of the chancery court shall be the clerk of the board of supervisors.

The powers and duties of the board of supervisors have been substantially expanded over the years by legislative action. In today’s counties, boards of supervisors are delegated a variety of other public duties of equal importance which touch virtually every facet of life. As is the case with the board of directors of a major corporation, the board of supervisors has the task of guiding and establishing policy for the complex multi-million dollar enterprise of county government. As members of the board, supervisors make decisions that directly impact economic development, public health, safety and welfare.

The statute goes on to delegate a variety of miscellaneous powers including jurisdiction over the subject of paupers; authority to regulate or prohibit the sale and use of fireworks; authority to contract with licensed real estate brokers for the purpose of offering county-owned real property for sale; authority to contract with a private attorney or private collection agency to assist the county in the recovery of past

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES due fees, fines, and delinquent ad valorem tax on personal property and mobile homes; authority to contract with one or more constables of the county to collect certain delinquent criminal fines; and authority to engage in certain functions authorized under federal law in connection with federally funded programs.

Finally, to help the board meet its obligations, the board of supervisors is empowered to levy such taxes as may be necessary to meet the demands of the respective counties.

Among the most important administrative responsibilities of the board of supervisors is the adoption of the county budget and approval of expenditures and appropriation of county funds therefore.

With respect to elections, the board of supervisors is responsible for determining the supervisor district lines, providing for election districts and voting precincts, providing voting machines, making appointments to fill vacancies in county offices, and calling special elections in connection therewith.

The members of the board of supervisors are conservators of the peace within their respective coun-

ties, and possess the powers as such which are conferred on justice court judges. However, the primary powers and duties of supervisors with respect to law enforcement and courts focus on funding the offices, employees, facilities, and programs of the sheriff and the court system.

The county boards of supervisors are delegated a variety of discretionary powers designed to address public health and welfare concerns of county citizens.

The board of supervisors has discretionary authority, with respect to the unincorporated area of the county, to adopt land use, zoning, building, subdivision, and related regulations for the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals, or the general welfare of the county.

The Solid Waste Disposal Law of 1974131 requires the board of supervisors to provide for collection and disposal of garbage and the disposal of rubbish.

The board of supervisors is required to appoint a county fire coordinator and has the discretionary authority to purchase, operate, and maintain fire trucks and other firefighting equipment.

The board of supervisors exer-

cises tremendous responsibility with regard to the public works of the county. For purposes of this survey, public works can be defined as the construction, acquisition, and maintenance of the capital assets the county needs to support and promote its business. The most obvious and visible of the county’s many public works responsibilities is the county road and bridge system. Public works also include the county courthouse and other county buildings that are essential for housing the various offices of the county, county officers, and other offices that the board of supervisors is required or has discretionary authority to provide.

The county board of supervisors is delegated the monumental task of constructing and maintaining the vast majority of the tens of thousands of road miles in the state.

The role of county boards of supervisors with respect to industrial development has increased significantly in recent years. The board of supervisors has the opportunity and resources to serve as a major player in attracting commercial and industrial development into the county.

WHICH DISTRICTS DO YOU LIVE IN? Campaigning for the August party primaries and November general election is well under way but some candidates report unanticipated difficulties.

They say some residents have no idea in which political subdivisions they live or, worse, are clinging to mistaken ideas about which ones.

They say they are also finding many people don’t understand what the primary election is or how it works.

This can be confusing.

For instance, a voter lives in one Mississippi House of Representatives district, one Mississippi Senate district, one Supervisor’s district, one precinct and one school district. Although it is only one physical location, each has a different number or designation.

It’s a bit worse if you live in the city because you have to add a ward number for your alderman, and even worse when you get into state district offices.

Figuring out your state senate district is easy: everyone in Union County lives in the Senate 3rd District (which also includes all of Benton County and about half of Pontotoc County.

The House districts are a bit more complicated.

Most of Union County is in Mississippi House District 14 – but not all.

In western Union County the Blythe, Macedonia, Pinedale and West Union precincts are in District 13. On the other side of the county, the Jericho precinct is in House District 18.

What is a precinct?

That’s the smallest political subdivision in the county, and determines where you go to vote in county, state and national elections (everyone votes at the courthouse for city elections only).

We have 20, but used to have 39.

The number was reduced and some precincts grouped together partly for convenience and partly because some were so small.

Now, each of the five county supervisors’ districts comprises four precincts.

The First District, in the northwest part of the county, includes Macedonia, Blythe, Myrtle and Glenfield.

The Second District, in the southwest part of the county, includes Pinedale, West Union, The Sportsplex and Ingomar.

The Third District, which divides the county North and South in the middle, included Kings Chapel, Courthouse, Central Maintenance and Beacon Hill.

The Fourth District, which is in the southeast part of the county, includes Hillcrest Church, East Union, Center and Blue Springs.

The Fifth District, which is in the northeast part of the county, includes Northeast Mississippi Community College, Keownville, Pleasant Ridge and Jericho.

See the map for more information.

There have been no recent changes in the party primary election system; the problem lies in shifting political winds.

Technically, we have only one election this year, the general election on Nov. 5.

What happens in August is really a nomination, not an election.

Democrats and Republicans choose their party nominees in separate elections and those nominees will go on the November ballot. It’s a bit like the national Democratic and Republican party conventions, only on a smaller, local scale.

Until 15 or 20 years ago, we had only Democratic candidates, no Republicans, on local ballots so there was only one primary and one could vote for anyone on that ballot.

But with the growth of Republican candidates, the two primaries are needed and a voter must choose one or the other. You may have a favorite candidate for sheriff in one party and a favorite candidate for supervisor in the other party. If you, you will have to choose between them in the primary.

And if there is a runoff and you voted in the primary, you cannot legally “cross over” from one party to vote for the other party in that runoff.

Once the general election rolls around in November, that ballot will have a mix of Republican, Democratic, third-party and independent candidates and then you can mix and match votes regardless of party.

If you are not sure which precinct you live in or where you need to go vote, Circuit Clerk Phyllis Stanford and her staff will be glad to help.

The secretary of state’s web site has a section called a polling locator, also.

Go to http://www.sos.ms.gov/PollingPlace, enter your address and you will be told where to go vote. Closer to election time, you can use this to get a copy of the individualized ballot you must vote on.

VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT Some registered voters are eligible to vote by an absentee ballot because of age, health, work demands, temporary relocation for educational purposes, or their affiliation with the U.S. Armed Forces.

Please check with your Circuit or Municipal Clerk to determine if you are entitled to vote by an absentee ballot and to learn the procedures for doing so.

If you know you will vote by an absentee ballot, you may contact your Circuit or Municipal Clerk’s Office at any time within 45 days of the election.

Voters included within the Uniform and Overseas

Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), such as members of the military and overseas citizens, may register to vote and request an absentee ballot by Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).

UOCAVA voters may register to vote using the FPCA up until ten days before the date of an election and may receive and return an absentee ballot by mail, email, or fax.

For more information, call the Secretary of State’s Election Hotline at 1 (800) 829-6786 or visit our website at www.yallvote.sos.ms.gov.

SENATE AND HOUSE DISTRICT PRECINCTS Voting precincts that are in the various Senate and House districts Mississippi House of Representatives District 13 – Benton County - Ashland *, Canaan, Floyd, Hickory Flat and 90 Lamar * Precincts.

Lafayette County - Abbeville *, Lafayette Springs, Oxford 92 1 *, Oxford 2 *, Oxford 6 *, Philadelphia and Yocona Precincts.

Marshall County - Bethlehem, Cornersville, Early Grove and 94 Potts Camp Precincts.

Union County - Blythe, Macedonia, Pinedale and West Union Precincts.

Mississippi House of Representatives District 14 – Union County - B.F. Ford, Beacon Hill, Blue Springs, Center, Central Maintenance, Courthouse, East Union, Glenfield, Ingomar, Keownville, Kings Chapel, Myrtle, Northeast MS Community College, Pleasant Ridge and Sportsplex Precincts.

Mississippi House of Representatives District 18 – Lee County - Baldwin, Beech Springs *, Belden *, Birmingham Ridge, Blair, Corrona, Davis Box, Euclautubba, Flowerdale, Guntown, Pratts, Saltillo and Tupelo 1 Precincts.

Prentiss County - Baldwyn, Ingram and Wheeler * Precincts.

Union County - Jericho Precinct.

Mississippi Senate District 3 – Benton County: All. Pontotoc County: Bankhead, Bethel, Buchanan, Cherry Creek, Ecru, Friendship, Hoyle, Hurricane, Longview, Oak Hill, Pontotoc 1, Pontotoc 2, Pontotoc 3, Pontotoc 4, Pontotoc 5, Sherman, 23 Turnpike, Woodland and Zion Precincts.

Union County: All.

WHAT ABOUT VOTER IDS When do voters have to start showing a photo ID to vote?

Individuals voting at the polls are required to show a photo ID. Individuals voting in person by absentee ballot inside the Circuit Clerk’s .Office are also required to show a photo ID. What forms of photo ID are required on Election Day? Any of the following photo IDs may be used: • A driver’s license • A photo ID issued by a branch, department or entity of the State of Mississippi • A United States passport • A government employee ID card • A firearms license • A student photo ID issued by an accredited Mississippi university, college or community/junior college • A United States military ID • A tribal photo ID • Any other photo ID issued by any branch, department, agency or entity of the United States government or any State government • A Mississippi Voter Identification Card May a voter use an expired photo ID on Election Day? Yes, as long as it is an acceptable form of photo ID (see list above) and is not more than ten (10) years old. The expired ID must contain the name and photograph of the voter, and have been validly issued by the federal or a state government.

Who may a voter contact if he/she has questions about the photo ID requirement? Please call the Secretary of State’s Voter ID Hotline at 1-844-6786837, visit www.MSVoterID.ms.gov or email MSVoterID@sos.ms.gov.

Who is exempt from the photo ID requirements?

• Voters who vote an absentee ballot by mail, fax or email • Voters with religious objections to being photographed • Any registered voter who resides at a state-licensed care facility and who votes in person at a polling place located in that state-licensed care facility What happens if a voter does not have a photo ID on Election Day? A voter who does not have photo ID on Election Day will be asked to vote by affidavit ballot at the polling place.

The voter will then have five (5) business days to show an acceptable form of photo ID, or apply for a Mississippi Voter ID Card, at the Circuit Clerk’s Office.

What if the voter does not have any of the acceptable forms of photo ID? FREE Mississippi Voter ID Cards are available at any Circuit Clerk’s Office.

Who qualifies for a FREE Mississippi Voter Identification Card?

Any eligible voter who does NOT have an acceptable form of photo ID qualifies for a FREE Mississippi Voter Identification Card.

Identification Card, the voter must bring any ONE of the following to the Circuit Clerk’s Office: • Any expired but valid photo identity document having the voter’s name and photograph issued by the U.S. government or any U.S. state • A birth certificate or any other document with the voter’s full legal name, date and place of birth A Social Security card • A Medicare card • A Medicaid card • A Mississippi Voter Registration Card • Any of the following, as long as it includes the voter’s name and current address: • Utility bill issued within the preceding six (6) months • Bank statement issued within the preceding six (6) months • Paycheck issued within the preceding six (6) months • Government check issued within the preceding six (6) months • IRS Form W-2, Wages and Tax Statement issued within the current calendar year • Any other government document issued within the current calendar year

Where is the closest Circuit Clerk’s Office?

Visit the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ms.gov to find the closest Circuit Clerk’s Office, call the Secretary of State’s Voter ID hotline toll free at 1-844-678-6837 or visit the Voter ID website at www. MSVoterID.ms.gov.

If a voter does not have any of the documents listed, can the voter still get a Mississippi Voter Identification Card?

Yes, the Circuit Clerk’s Office can verify a voter’s birth information free of charge. The voter must give the Circuit Clerk the following information: • Full legal name • Date of birth • State of birth • Mother’s maiden name

How does a voter get a Mississippi Voter Identification Card?

To get a FREE Mississippi Voter

Can a voter get a free Voter ID card even if the voter has one of the other forms of acceptable photo ID?

No. What if a voter needs transportation to the Circuit Clerk’s Office to get the Mississippi Voter Identification Card?

FREE transportation will be available to voters who need help getting a Mississippi Voter Identification Card.

For more information about this program, contact the Secretary of State’s

Voter ID toll-free hotline at 1-844-6786837, visit www.MSVoterID.ms.gov or email MSVoterID@sos. ms.gov.

What if a voter’s driver’s license has been surrendered to law enforcement authorities?

A voter whose driver’s license has been surrendered to the Department of Public Safety or to local law enforcement authorities due to medical

reasons, DUI test refusal, DUI, or for any other reason authorized by Mississippi law, is eligible to obtain a free Mississippi Voter Identification Card if the voter has no other acceptable form of photo identification. If a driver’s license has been suspended but is still in the possession of the voter, the driver’s license remains an acceptable form of photo identification.

QUALIFICATIONS TO VOTE • • • • •

U.S. citizen.

18 years of age on or before the next general Election Day. Resident of Mississippi, this county and this city for at least 30 days.

Have not been adjudicated as mentally incompetent.

Have never been convicted of voter fraud or any other disenfranchising crime OR, if convicted, have had my voting rights restored as required by law.

• The address listed is legal place of residence.

Warning: Giving false information to register to vote is a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both. Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-17.

SHERIFF Danny Dillard

Jimmy Edwards

Democrat

Democrat

Notes about this candidate:

Notes about this candidate:

Notes about this candidate:

Brandon Garrett

Ashley Kidd

Republican

Republican

Notes about this candidate:

TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR Tameri Dunnam

Annette Hickey

Democrat

Republican

Notes about this candidate:

Notes about this candidate:

MEDICAL EXAMINER

Notes about this candidate:

CHANCERY CLERK

CIRCUIT CLERK

Pam Boman

Phyllis Stanford

Democrat

Democrat

Notes about this candidate:

1ST DISTRICT SUPERVISOR Evan Denton

Gary Floyd

Democrat

Democrat

Notes about this candidate:

Notes about this candidate:

Notes about this candidate:

Sam Taylor

Paul Patterson

Democrat

Democrat

Notes about this candidate:

2ND DISTRICT SUPERVISOR Chad Coffey

Jim Gann

Democrat

Notes about this candidate:

Republican

Notes about this candidate:

3RD DISTRICT SUPERVISOR

Notes about this candidate:

C. J. Bright

David A. Kitchens

Republican

Republican

Notes about this candidate:

4TH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR Randy Owen

Keith Roberts

Democrat

Democrat

Notes about this candidate:

Notes about this candidate:

5TH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR

JUSTICE COURT JUDGE EAST David ‘Bruno’ Garrison

Steve Watson

Democrat

Democrat

Notes about this candidate:

Notes about this candidate:

CONSTABLE EAST

DISTRICT 14 REPRESENTATIVE

P. J. Doyle

Robbins Ellis Rogers

Republican

Notes about this candidate:

Republican

Notes about this candidate:

DISTRICT 3 SENATOR

Notes about this candidate:

Kathy L. Chism

Jeff Olson

Republican

Republican

Notes about this candidate:

DISTRICT 3 SENATOR Kevin Walls Republican

I am running as a Christian Conservative Republican. I stand for low taxes and fiscal responsibility. I hope to gain your trust, support and vote on Tuesday, November 5th.

Notes about this candidate:

Vote

Jim Gann 2 District Supervisor nd

VOTE

GARY FLOYD FIRST DISTRICT

SUPERVISOR

In 2009, I started my law enforcement career with MS Dept. of Corrections, as a field officer that supervised a felony probation case load. I have visited most prisons in MS. For that reason, I learned the ins and outs and a lot of do’s and don’ts within our prison system.

If elected I will also be in charge of the day to day jail operations and I am fully committed to making sure the facility is always safe and secure.

In May of 2011, I was hired as a part time sheriff ’s deputy

by Tommy Wilhite. I served my duties as probation officer and at the sheriff ’s dept. until November 2011 when I was hired as a full time deputy.

Eventually earning rank of sergeant. With in that time I learned the day to day operations of the department.

October 2013, I was hired at NAPD and also during that time earning rank of sergeant.

ASHLEY KIDD FOR UNION COUNTY

SHERIFF

Currently serving my third year as School Resource Officer, I fully understand the meaning of “No Child Left Behind!” because without our children, there is no future. It is our duty to guide these children to be productive citizens in our community.

I was born and raised in Union County and all my family lives here. I can relate to ALL citizens, whether city or county, because I take my oath and duty, to serve, to heart.

Hard work and determination has led me to where I am today. As a public servant, to citizens of Union County, I feel that it is very important to be professional and treat everyone with the same respect no matter if they are the Governor or going to jail.

I pride myself on ALWAYS treating everyone the same, no matter the circumstances.

VOTE Vote to Re-Elect

PAM BOMAN,

Sam Taylor

CMEI

1st District Supervisor

Union County Let me be your Coroner Voice

3RD DISTRICT SUPERVISOR Experience • Education • Leadership LET MY PROVEN EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU Supervisor 3rd District | 2016 - Present Union County Board of Supervisors President | 1 Year PUL Alliance Board | 2015 - Present UCDA Board Member | 14 Years, Past President Deacon at First Baptist Church | Past Chairman Merchants Truck Lines | 20 Years President of MS Trucking Association Owner of Home Medical Alternatives for 22 Years

Your Vote & Influence Are Sincerely Appreciated

My experience, education, and commitment to serve make me the most qualified candidate to serve you as sheriff. I am the only candidate with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and the only candidate who is a certified investigator through the state of Mississippi. I have served as a supervisor in multiple departments, and I have extensive experience in criminal investigations and advanced forensics training. I have led task forces for agents combating crimes against children and have taught classes training officers on a variety of law enforcement topics. I know, with your support, I can help create an even brighter, safer, and more just Union County for us all. Continuing my law enforcement career of 15 years here is more than just a choice; it is a calling.

To learn more about my platform please visit my website at:

UCSHERIFFBRANDONGARRETT.COM My name is Keith Roberts and I am running for the office of Union County Supervisor, District 4. I am a lifelong resident of the Fourth District living in the Branyan Community. I have 8 years previous experience working with the Union County Road Maintenance. I have been a volunteer fire fighter with Alpine Fire Department for 18 years, serving as Fire Chief for the past 6 years. I am an active member of Parks Baptist Church and also a board member of Alpine Water Association.

If elected, I will be an active Fourth District Supervisor who will listen to the people. I am experienced in working with people and I intend to work diligently with the other supervisors so Union County will continue to be a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Keith

“Focused on our future”

ROBERTS DISTRICT 4 SUPERVISOR

Honest

Dependable

Hard Working

Below is the list of candidates who did not respond to the Gazette’s request for photos and information: Countywide: Medical Examiner-Investigator Gabriel Wilson (D) County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Marshall Davis (R) (i) County District: Supervisor 1 Jerry C. Burke (R) Carl Graham (D) Supervisor 4 Tommy “Junior” Courtney (R) Justice Court Judge West Chris Childers (D) (i) Constable East Mickey McGill (D) Constable West Ronnie Goudy (D) (i) State district: District Attorney District 3 Ben Creekmore (R) (i) District 13 Representative Pamela J. Denham (D) Steve Massengill (R) (i) District 14 Representative Sam Creekmore IV (R) District 18 Representative Jerry R. Turner (R) (i) District 3 Senator Jeffrey Mitchell (R) Tim Tucker (D)

Notes

Danny Dillard UNION COUNTY SHERIFF

32 YEARS OF REAL EXPERIENCE Elect a Sheriff for ALL People. A Man of the People, For the People.

Let my experience work for you. The RIGHT Man with the RIGHT Experience!

I was Chief of Police in Sherman & Burnsville, MS. I currently work with MDOT as Sergeant First Class.

I am federally certiÚed by the FMCSA. I worked for Lee County Sheriff s Department for several years where I had been: a jailor, dispatcher, DUI ofÚcer, Captain of narcotics and over a SWAT team.

I have had my own budgets and worked closely with the Board of Supervisors.

I was raised in Union County in the Center Community and I am a member of Center Baptist Church.

I have been married to Donna Russell Dillard for 35 years. Donna and I have 2 children, Daniel Dillard and Amber Weathers and I am a proud grandfather to 3 grandchildren.

I have worked with many local and federal agents throughout my 32 years of experience and have diligently served the people of North Mississippi.

I AM

I CAN

I WILL

well qualified

greatly improve the quality of law enforcement

work for the people

ELECT

ROBBINS ELLIS ROGERS REPRESENTATIVE

A L E G AC Y O F S E R V I C E “ My family has lived and worked in Union County for six generations. Your vote on August 6th will be appreciated and give me the opportunity to help create a secure future for the next generation of my family and yours. Let’s work together to make Union County strong for decades to come.”

— Robbins Ellis Rogers Continuing a family legacy of nearly 125 years of service to our community Father, teacher, and school bus driver supporting strong public education Supports your 2nd Amendment rights and our law enforcement officers Will protect the Right to Life Committed to Union County’s future

Dr. David Ellis, Margaret Ellis Rogers and Mrs. David Ellis

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON AUGUST 6 TH .

“ As a teacher, I spend every day with your children and grandchildren, and I’m the father of twin three-year-olds. I believe our young people should be able to realize their hopes and dreams right here at home.

That’s why I will fight for Union County in Jackson.”

REPUBLICAN ROBBINS ELLIS ROGERS REPRESENTING THE FUTURE OF UNION COUNTY Rogers_MS_booklet_page.indd 1

5/17/19 4:41 PM