Some “diehard Democrats” — but few others — are expected tovote Tuesday in a primary to decide the party’s nominee for U.S.Senate, Lincoln County election officials said.

“We’re anticipating a very light turnout,” said Lincoln CountyCircuit Clerk Terry Case Watkins.

The race between James W. “Bootie” Hunt of Starkville and StevenTurney of Bassfield is the only contest on Tuesday’s Democraticprimary ballot. The winner will face Republican incumbent U.S. Sen.Thad Cochran.

Gerald Williams, Lincoln County Democratic Executive Committeechairman, predicted a turnout of around 18 percent. He said itappears most people are waiting until the November general electionto vote for the Republican candidate.

“Most of the people don’t think it’s that important a race,”Williams said of Tuesday’s primary.

Watkins expressed similar thoughts.

“We haven’t have very much interest shown in this election,” shesaid.

Watkins said there had been a few calls from citizens wanting toknow what was on the ballot, but that was about all. She attributedthe minimal voter interest to the candidates’ low namerecognition.

Although her office was open as required, Watkins said noabsentee ballots were cast. She indicated that was further evidenceof anticipated low turnout.

Nevertheless, Williams said preparations have been made andofficials are ready for Tuesday’s primary.

“We’ve got everything set up,” he said.

With a required minimum of three per precinct, poll workers willbe by far the biggest expense, Watkins said. Poll workers will earn$70 and poll manager $90 for the day at each of the county’s 32precincts.

Other expenses include rental of several voting places andportable toilets and ballot printing. Watkins said paper ballotsare being used in an effort to keep costs down.

“They’re kept to a minimum,” Watkins about election costs.

Here are Lincoln County voting places:

DISTRICT ONE

Alexander – Alexander Junior High School

Goverment Complex – Brookhaven-Lincoln County GovernmentComplex

East Lincoln – East Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department

Fair River – Masonic Lodge at Fair Oaks Springs

Forestry – Mississippi Forestry Commission office on Highway 84east.

High School – Brookhaven High School (Vo-Tech Building)

DISTRICT TWO

Big Springs – voting house across from Big Springs BaptistChurch

Brignal – Store at corner of Brignal and Howard Roads

Heuck’s Retreat – Heuck’s Retreat Volunteer Fire Department

Little Bahala – Voting house on J.C. White’s property

Montgomery – Burk’s company building

New Sight – New Sight Volunteer Fire Department

Pearlhaven – County unit facility

Roger’s Circle – Voting house at Beulah Chapel BaptistChurch

DISTRICT THREE

Bogue Chitto – Bogue Chitto School

City Hall – Old fire station behind chamber of commerce

Enterprise – Enterprise School

Norfield – Norfield’s voting house

Old Brook – Yancey’s Old Store

Ruth – Ruth Volunteer Fire Department

DISTRICT FOUR

Arlington – County unit facility southwest

Halbert Heights – Central Fire Station on Brookhaven Street

Johnson – Building east of Montgomery Church

Johnson Grove – Voting house behind New Johnson Grove Church ofChrist

West Lincoln – West Lincoln School

Northwest Brookhaven – Old National Guard Armory on Highway51.

DISTRICT FIVE

Caseyville – Caseyville voting house

Lipsey – Lipsey Middle School

Loyd Star – Loyd Star School

Old Red Star – Voting house behind Matt and Sharon Lambert’sstore

Vaughn – Vaughn voting house

Zetus – Zetus Volunteer Fire Department.