The upcoming election is shaping up to be a doozie with several unknowns slipping into the mix, making any prognostication even more complicated.

Eleven local races will ultimately be decided in the November General Election, a number greater than ever in the past.

Most voters have previously voted in the Democratic Primary election for a local candidate with a majority voting for Republicans in state-wide elections in the November election.

This November, many of the local elections will not only have Democrat and Republican nominees, but independent candidates to boot. The winner will be the candidate who receives a plurality (more votes than anyone else) as opposed to a majority of votes. There will be no runoffs in the General Election.

If you take, for instance, Supervisor District Four that has candidates from two party primaries and three independent candidates on the General Election ballot next November, it is a mathematical possibility that the winner could prevail with 20 percent + one vote. Almost 2,000 voted in that November 2007 race so with a similar turnout, the winner could receive one vote over 400 and go into office next January.

(It should also be clarified that independent candidates’ names will not appear on the ballot until November, even if there is more than one independent candidate seeking an office)

In 2007 Haley Barbour received only 119 of approximately 125 Republican votes cast in that Panola primary election, and won the nomination with 112,140 votes statewide. But in the General Election Barbour turned around and received 4,508 of 8,108 Panola votes cast in that race and won the governorship for his second term

If that sounds impressive to you then you should remember that one year later Barack Obama received 8,690 of 16,310 votes cast in Panola County’s General Election.

Which once again proves, it’s all about getting the votes out.