By Rupert Howell
Panola County’s voting machines have been tested, poll workers have been trained and ballot and supply boxes are ready for next Tuesday’s election when 36 Democrat and 40 Republican delegate positions will be up for grabs according to Panola County Circuit Clerk’s Office.
While presidential politics is catching all the media hype, 2nd District Congressman Benny Thompson is also on the Democratic ballot unchallenged for that nomination as is Republican candidate John Boui, II. They will face each other in the November general election
Absentee balloting will take place until noon Saturday in both the Batesville and Sardis courthouses. The polls are open from 7a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday at the regular precinct locations.
Democrats listed on the ballot for President of the United States in order are Hillary Clinton, Roque ‘Rocky’ De La Fuente, Martin O’Malley and Bernie Sanders.
On the Republican ballot for president are Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham, Mike Huckabee, John R. Kasich, George Pataki, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Rick Santorum, and Donald Trump.
Most of the Republican field has withdrawn including Bush, Christie, Fiorina, Graham, Huckabee, Patiki, Paul and Santorum.
Carson has recently stated that he did not see a path to the nomination and failed to participate in last night’s debate.
Republican poll workers are announced on page A6 by the Panola County Election Commission which will conduct the primaries. Democrats did not make their poll workers available for publication.