Tuesday’s Aug. 6 primary election will see voters pick county officials, sheriff, area judges and also statewide offices including party candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General and Transportation Commission-er.
Clarksdale city residents will also be able to vote on a $5 million bond election for various road, bridge and drainage projects. That referendum will see voters cast a ballot for or against the bond issue at city precincts.
The county’s primary election will require voters to declare a party and then vote either a Republican or Democratic ticket. Several Republican candidates running for statewide offices but all local candidates for Coahoma County offices have declared as Democrats.
City Bond Issue
The vote on the city’s bond proposal will have voters registering and picking up a ballot at a separate table. And since city and county precincts don’t always line up 5t means voters, depending on where they live, could be asked to cast ballots at two separate precincts.
City referendum poll workers have been trained on how to get voters to the right precinct to cast a ballot.
The city has prioritized five projects totaling $8.25 million. However, after allowing for $3 million in funding from the Mississippi Department of Transportation and a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant, the city’s share would be $4.91 million.
Clarksdale bond referendum projects include:
1. Replace Second Street bridge: $3,800,000.
2. Sasse Street drainage: $800,000.
3. Pearson Street levee/pump: $2,025,000
4. Sidewalks/Lighting: $1.1 million.
5. Street rehabilitation: $500,000.
6. Friars Point Road: $3,600,000.
Projects are listed by priority and Friars Point would be added if fund become available through possible grants.
Homeowners with a home valued at $50,000 would pay $25 more in property taxes per year. A $100,000 home would pay an additional $50. The increase in taxes on a $200,000 home would be $100.
For those who own property that is not occupied by the owner, the increase would be: $37.50 annually for a $50,000 property; $75 for a $100,000 property; and $150 for a $200,000 parcel.
Clarksdale currently has $3.55 million in debt from general obligation bonds that were passed in 2011 and earlier this year.
Questions or concerns about voting issues, policy and procedure for any election should be directed to the Secretary of State’s office at (601) 359-1350.
Questions or concerns about candidate qualifications, ethics and conduct while in office should be directed to the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Division at (601) 359-4258.
