These lines are written under the assumption that we learn from repetition. Questions and comments from readers lead me to believe that we still do not understand the mechanics of the coming elections, so we will be repeating.

Foremost: Understand that if you vote in one party’s primary election on August 4, YOU CANNOT VOTE in the other party’s runoff election on August August 25.

What this means in Panola County is that if you are determined to vote the Republican ticket you give up your chance to help influence important elections for local offices.

And a vote in a local race is far more crucial to the outcome than a vote in a statewide race. And chances are that you will be much more likely to need the services of circuit and chancery offices, your justice court, your supervisor, sheriff or constable than you are to expect to call on the governor to do you a favor. It’s just simple math. In Panola County you are one of thousands; at the state level your vote is one among several hundred thousands.

Not that we don’t have local candidates running for office as Republicans. We do. In Senate District Nine (mostly the east part of Panola County), Republican Senator Gray is seeking re-election.

In Senate District 14 (includes three Panola precincts in the southeast corner of the county) Republican Senator Lydia Graves Chassaniol is also seeking re-election.

In Representative District 10 (southeast Panola County) Republican Representative Nolan Mettetal is seeking re-election.

For Supervisor in District Three, Kenneth R. Williams is seeking nomination as a Republican.
Likewise, John O. Greene is seeking nomination as a Republican for Supervisor, District Four.
BUT THEY ARE ALL UNOPPOSED and they will automatically be on the November General Election ballot.

But in Senate District 11 (west part of Panola County) the race will be decided in the Democratic Primary. In House District 11 (north and west Panola County) the election will also be decided by the Democratic Primary as will the selection of the Panola Circuit Clerk.

And in Panola’s races for supervisors, for the Second District’s justice court judge and constable and for sheriff, the Democratic Primary on August 4 and runoff on August 25 will greatly shape the outcomes.