Absentee voting for this year’s municipal general election isexpected to begin soon following certification of Tuesday’sDemocratic runoff primary, city officials said.

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

Absentee ballots for the June 5 general election are expected tobe ready Monday or Tuesday. In additon to regular hours, Rudman’soffice will be open Saturday, May 26 and June 2, from 8 a.m. untilnoon for absentee voting.

Affidavit ballots from Tuesday’s Democratic primary runoff forAlderman at large and Ward 2 Alderman were checked and countedWednesday, with winner Les Bumgarner picking up one vote. That gaveBumgarner 1,202 votes to 825 for Ronnie D. Bass.

Results in the Ward 2 race were unchanged, incumbent Terry Bateshaving 208 votes and challenger Rolanda Spiller getting 180. Bateswas elected to his fourth term.

Primary totals were awaiting executive committee members’signatures before being certified.

The general election ballot will feature four contested races,including contests for mayor and three alderman posts. Forunopposed candidates, the general election is a formality.

“Every office will be listed on the general election ballot,”Rudman said.

In the mayor’s race, Democratic incumbent Bill Godbold isseeking a sixth term against Republican and current Ward 4 AldermanJohn Roberts and Independent Percy Rauls, a former cityalderman.

In ward races, Republican Bob Massengill is seeking the Ward 4post against Democrat Jerry Case. Massengill got the GOP nominationin a three-candidate primary field while Case was unopposed for hisparty’s nomination.

In Ward 5, incumbent Alderman Tom Smith goes for a second termagainst Republican John Richardson, who held the post prior toSmith. Smith captured the Democratic nomination in athree-candidate field while Richardson was unopposed for the GOPnod.

The Ward 6 Alderman race pits incumbent John E. “Buddy” Allenseeking a second full term against Republican Keith Peden. Allenemerged from a four-candidate field to get the Democraticnomination while Peden had no opposition in the primary.

Races decided in the primaries include Arlustra “Pap” Hendersonas police chief, Bumgarner as alderman at large, Dorsey Cameron asWard 1 Alderman, Bates in Ward 2 and the Rev. Jerry L. Wilson asWard 3 Alderman.

Rudman and City Tax Collector Pat Duckworth were unopposed intheir re-election bids.