Republican candidates Brian Flowers and Thomas Carey will face each other in a June 23 runoff election to determine who will vie against Democratic incumbent Rep. Bennie Thompson for the 2nd Congressional seat this November.
But the primary runoff comes with several COVID-19-related safety precautions.
There will be “masks for all co-workers, also safety shields for some of the poll managers, gloves,” Leflore County Circuit Clerk Elmus Stockstill said Monday.
“Each precinct is also going to mark off the 6-foot rule. We are also going to have hand sanitizer at each precinct to make sure everyone is able to sanitize their hands before and after making a vote.”
Stockstill recognized how this will be good preparation for the bigger election later in the year.
“Since this is going to be a smaller election, we are trying to implement some of the changes we’ll be having for November,” Stockstill said. “We want to make sure what we’re doing is going to work for November, so this is kind of like a trial.”
Preston Ratliff, District 3 election commissioner, said the precautions should be a comfort to those wanting to have their voice heard.
“I am encouraging everyone to come out and participate in the process, that votes in the Republican Party,” Ratliff said. “We look forward to still running a real smooth election.”
Flowers, a veteran and employee at the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, describes himself as “a fiscal and social conservative,” according to his website.
Carey, a Realtor from Hernando, ran in 2014 and received less than 2% of the vote in the GOP primary. According to Vote-USA.com, he would include bringing back conservative Christian values and would repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Thompson has been in office since 1993.
Absentee ballots are available by request from the circuit clerk’s office at the courthouse.
• Contact Adam Bakst at 581-7233 or abakst@gwcommonwealth.com.
