By Jason C. Mattox

The polls are open and will be until 7 p.m. tonight.

Today is the municipal election primary across the state.

Como and Crenshaw will have contested mayoral races with Como Mayor Judy Sumner facing off against challengers Mack Taylor and Andrew Cook.

Crenshaw Mayor Sylvester Reed is pitted against Oscar Barlow, the man he defeated in the 2005 election.

Batesville and Sardis mayors Jerry Autrey and Alvis “Rusty” Dye respectively, are unopposed.

Contested races in Batesville are Ward 2 Alderman between incumbent Rufus Manley and Ted Stewart, Ward 3 between incumbent Stan Harrison and Percy Bruce and a Republican primary between Eddie Nabors and Kenneth Williams for the right to challenge Ward 4 incumbent Bobbie Jean Pounders in the general election June 2.

In Batesville the Ward 1 polling place will not be open during the primary. Alderman Bill Dugger did not draw an opponent.

In Sardis, Ward 3 incumbent Rufus “Bill” Smith is being challenged by Rickey Armstrong and Clarence Jones.

Alderman-at-Large Roy Scallorn is facing John Reed, the man he defeated in 2005.

Ward 1 incumbent Joseph “JoJo” Still will face Boots Still in the general election.

In Como, incumbent Alderman-at-Large Forster Ruhl will meet John Walton.

Ward 1 Alderman Clark Gregory is facing former alderman Tonie Heard.

In addition to Crenshaw’s mayoral race, the ballot there will include contested races in Ward 3 and Ward 5.

In Ward 3, incumbent Alberta Bradley faces challenger Dennis Handy.

Bradley is a longtime alderman who often locks horns with Mayor Sylvester Reed. She is campaigning for his opponent, Oscar Barlow.

In Ward 5, Katherine Phipps is seeking to replace her husband, Milton Phipps, who is ill. To gain his seat, she must defeat Ronnie Perry.

Panolian readers with access to the Internet can view election-night results on Panolian.com.