Two alderman races decided Tuesday

Published 5:00 am Monday, May 14, 2001

Two more alderman races will be decided Tuesday when votersreturn to the polls to cast ballots in Democratic primaryrunoffs.

In the only city-wide race on the ballot, Ronnie D. Bass and LesBumgarner are facing off to be the city’s next alderman at large.Voters in Ward 2 will also be deciding between long-time incumbentAlderman Terry Bates and challenger Rolanda Spiller.

“Hopefully, we’ll have a good turnout,” said James Tillman, thecity’s Democratic Executive Committee chairman.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

With only one city-wide race, though, Tillman said he was alittle leery whether turnout would be what is should be. Heencouraged citizens to get out and vote Tuesday.

“We need good participation from the voters,” Tillman said whilealso commenting on the importance of the alderman at large race.”That position has an impact on the entire city.”

City Clerk Iris Rudman was optimistic about voter participationTuesday.

“I think turnout will be pretty good,” she said.

Records show 101 people have either voted absentee in Rudman’soffice or requested an absentee ballot by mail. Mailed ballots aredue back in her office by 5 p.m. Monday.

Unlike two weeks ago, Rudman said there will only be aDemocratic primary in Ward 4 Tuesday.

Since there is no crossover voting, Ward 4 voters whoparticipated in the Republican primary on May 1 are not eligible tovote Tuesday. Rudman said Ward 4 poll workers will have Republicanpoll books tomorrow to check voting records.

Rudman encouraged citizens to check their voting locations withthe circuit clerk’s office. If citizens have moved and did notnotify the circuit clerk’s office, they may have to vote byaffidavit ballot, she said.

Some citizens showed up at the wrong precincts two weeks ago.Rudman said precinct workers will have telephones available tocheck voter registration and director votes to the proper precinct,if needed.

With no Republican or independent candidates, the winners ofTuesday’s Democratic runoffs will be elected to the respectiveoffices. The winners will join Ward 1 Alderman Dorsey Cameron, whowon in the first primary, on the next term’s board of aldermen.

Other aldermen races will be decided in the generalelection.

Rudman said results from Tuesday’s runoff will be certifiedWednesday. Absentee voting for the general election will beginshortly thereafter.

“We’ll have the general election ballots as soon as they can beprinted after the primary,” Rudman said.