With 3,000 Jones County absentee ballots already filed for today’s election, local officials are expecting what could possibly be a record breaking turnout.

Circuit Clerk Bart Gavin told the Leader-Call that people should avoid the peak times of 7 - 9 a.m. and 4 - 7 p.m. if possible.

He suggested the historically slower times of 9 - 11 a.m. or 2 - 4 p.m. to avoid the longest lines.

“If they want to vote non-peak times, there are better times to go as far as less lines,” Gavin said. “Those would be my guess. It may be busy all day.”

The latest numbers from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office of registered voters show there are now 1,895,583 registered voters in Mississippi as of Monday. Out of that number, 194,788 have registered since January 1.

In a report released by election officials Monday, there are 41,671 registered voters in Jones County; 13,837 in Covington; 12,036 in Jasper; 12,150 in Smith; and 14,364 in Wayne.

People should use the same precincts used for county general elections. There are 48 precincts in Jones County.

Local voters will find several candidates on today’s ballot including those running for president, supreme court justice, United States Senate, and United States Congress. There will also be local elections for election commissioners and two districts will vote for school board members. A complete list of candidates can be found in sample ballots printed in the Thursday, Oct. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 2 editions of the Leader-Call. Sample ballots can also be found online at www.leadercall.com.

There are some changes in voting precincts. According to election commissioner Marilyn Huff, North Laurel voters will use the Ed Smith Building, which is the former Deposit Guaranty Bank building, instead of Mason Elem. School. Voters in South Laurel who formerly used the National Guard Armory, Old Health Department, or Oak Park school will vote at the Magnolia Center.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

While voting, there are also some things to leave in the car. Voters wearing campaign T-shirts, buttons, etc. won’t be allowed into a precinct until the material is removed or covered. In fact, such campaign material — including clothing — isn’t allowed within 150 feet of the polling place.

Gavin also reminded people who are first time voters who registered by mail or motor voter registration to remember identification. There are about 17,000 people who are impacted by this rule, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said.

Any readers who see something unusual at the polls such as extremely long lines or voting problems are asked to submit the information to newseditor@laurelleadercall.com or contact the Leader-Call newsroom at 601-428-0551.

Voters who witness problems are also urged to call the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Election Hotline at 800-829-6786. That number is also available for people who have problems voting. Other numbers people may call with concerns include the Protect the Vote 2008 hotline: 888-601-VOTE; the Mississippi Democratic Party: 601-969-2913; and the Mississippi Republican Party: 601-948-5191.

The Leader-Call will publish information as it becomes available in print and online.



Voting Precincts

Beat 1

*Lamar

*Mason

Shady Grove

Sharon



Beat 2

Bruce

Calhoun

Centerville

*Laurel Courthouse

Gitano

Hebron

Matthews

Pleasant Ridge

*Cameron Center

Soso

Mauldin Comm Ctr



Beat 3

*Kingston Church

Erata

Glade School

Myrick Comm Ctr

Powers Comm Ctr

Ovett

Rustin

Sandersville CC

Tuckers

Antioch



Beat 4

Blackwell

County Barn

Johnson

Ellisville Cthse

Landrum Comm Ctr

Moselle

Pine Grove

Rainey

Sand Hill

Shelton

Union



Beat 5

South Jones

*Cooks Ave CC

**National Guard

*Nora Davis

Roosevelt

**Oak Park School

Pendorff School

**Old Health Dept

Currie

*Stainton



* denotes precincts within the City of Laurel

** denotes precincts that now vote at the Magnolia Center

Source: Jones County Circuit Clerk