What a difference three weeks make

By Othor Cain

Contributing Writer

Voters in Hinds County braved the stormy weather Nov. 29 as they returned to the polls to make the final decision as to whom will serve on the Board of Election Commissioners for the next four years. What is usually a very low-key and often over-looked race, this year proved differently for election commissioners as more voters were engaged and made aware of the duties and responsibilities of the job.

When voters initially cast their ballots earlier this month in Hinds County Districts 1, 2 and 5, no candidate received 50 percent plus one of the votes, thus requiring a runoff. In District 1, three weeks ago (Nov. 8), voters suggested they wanted change. In a three-person race, political newcomer Evelyn Reed received 7,866 votes or 43.37 percent, incumbent James Reed received 6,032 votes or 33.26 percent, while community activist Ineva May Pittman received 4,015 votes or 22.14 percent. Tuesday, with a very low-voter turnout, voters decided that incumbent James Reed should be given another opportunity to serve. James received 818 votes or 63.31 percent while Evelyn received 470 votes or 36.38.

What a difference three weeks make.

In District 2, the first round of votes (Nov. 8) indicated that voters wanted Bobbie Graves to return to the seat she once held. Facing two opponents, Graves received 9,078 or 49.50 percent, political newcomer Toni Johnson received 5,323 votes or 29.02 percent while Jackson city-employee Artis Johnson received 3,759 or 20.50 percent of the votes. Tuesday, voters delivered change. Graves received 660 votes or 39.54 percent while Johnson received 1,001 votes or 59.98 percent.

What a difference three weeks make.

In District 5, incumbent Lelia Gaston Rhodes decided not to seek reelection which guaranteed a new face would represent the district. Four candidates emerged and went on a quest to sway voters in their direction. Voters were almost evenly split for the top two candidates. Ella Beecham-Green received 3,127 votes or 21.22 percent, Ebony Cooper received 4,966 votes or 33.70 percent, Ronnie Lattimore received 2,148 votes or 14.58 percent and Connie Little received 4,344 votes or 29.38 percent. Tuesday, less than 1,000 voters returned to the polls to cast ballots and delivered 326 votes or 35.94 percent for Cooper and 578 votes or 63.73 percent for Little.

What a difference three weeks make.

Zach Wallace, Hinds County Circuit Clerk said, “the runoff races boiled down to “which candidate could reenergize enough of their base support to return to the polls and cast ballots…the results were pretty amazing.” Runoffs generally receive a lackluster turn out and when you couple that with inclimate weather and poor voter engagement, the numbers are even lower. There are 93,636 voters registered in these three districts, only 3,876 voters returned to the polls for the runoff races.

What a difference three weeks made!