There are four contested races on the Republican, Democratic, and Non-Partisan ballots in Baldwin County this Tuesday, May 21, and it is possible only one will be decided that day.
Voters in Baldwin County’s Districts 4 and 5 will each choose among three candidates for seats on the Baldwin County Board of Commissioners in the Republican Primary, while in District 3 there will be two choices for a seat on the Board of Education in the Non-Partisan General Election.
In the redrawn House of Representatives District 149, Floyd Griffin and Phyllis Tufts Hightower will square off in the Democratic Primary, but the top vote-getter must still face Republican incumbent Ken Vance in November.
Polls at the 14 voting precincts will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. that day. Early voting will end this Friday at 5 p.m. at the Government Building on North Columbia Street.
Three-term commissioner Henry Craig in District 4 is not seeking re-election, and those vying to replace him are Carol Ballew, Andrew Strickland, and Jay Wright. In District 5, meanwhile, incumbent Johnny Westmoreland faces challenges from Scott Little and Pam Peacock.
Board of Education District 3 member Lyn Chandler is not seeking another term, and Beverly Rayford and Dylan Amerson are running for his seat.
Three of the candidates for the County Commission posts believe runoffs are highly likely, while a fourth says he feels confident, whether or not a second trip to the polls is needed.
“I think it is a certainty with three candidates in each race,” Little said of the possibility of runoffs, “but more so because we have five very passionate new candidates that are all working very hard to connect with the citizens of Baldwin County and one incumbent.”
Peacock shared similar sentiments.
“I believe there will be runoffs in both districts,” she predicted. “It is exciting to see candidates step up to run for office, and it is even more exciting to see citizens become engaged and vote for the candidate of their choice.”
In District 4, Ballew thinks as well that the two contests will not be decided Tuesday.
“I believe that the probability of having a runoff in both of the races for county commissioner is very high,” she said. “All candidates have good general ideas for the future of the county, so I believe the citizens are paying attention to the details. With differing priorities of the voters, I believe the votes will be split.”
Wright said he is working to win either way.
“I expect and feel confident District 4 will have historic voter turnout,” he said. “This is a very important race for the citizens of Baldwin County and my district.”
Baldwin County Chief Voter Registrar Randy Morrow said Tuesday afternoon the early voting, which began two weeks ago, has been steady.
“We’ve had about 100 a day,” he said, pointing out that of the 28,161 eligible voters, 1,450 had cast ballots as of that afternoon. In addition, he said, 270 absentee ballots had been requested and 156 returned, for a combined total of 5.7% of eligible voters making their choice thus far.
Morrow said the election process has been relatively quiet.
“Nothing eventful has happened in this election,” he said. “It’s been really kind of laid back.”
The registrar agrees with the majority of the candidates regarding the potential runoffs in the two county commission races.
“That 51% is pretty hard to reach with three people running,” he commented.
Morrow reminded those who wait until Election Day that voting at the government building on North Columbia is not allowed then. Ballots must be cast that day at the poll in the precinct in which they live.