Brookhaven election officials are reminding residents thatSaturday is the last day for them to register to vote and beeligible to participate in the May 3 party primaries.

City Clerk Mike Jinks said his office will be open Saturday from8 a.m. until noon for voter registration. His open has been eachday this week until 7 p.m. for the same purpose.

Citizens may also vote by absentee ballot in the DemocraticParty primary. Republican candidates are unopposed in theirprimaries.

Election officials said only about 30 people have requestedabsentee ballots by mail. They cited a limited number of thecontested races on the ballot and the amount of time before theprimary.

“It’s still early. The primary’s a month away,” said BonitaBullock, Brookhaven Election Commission member.

Citywide elections are unopposed, with Mayor Bob Massengill,Jinks, Police Chief Pap Henderson and Alderman at large LesBumgarner in line for re-election. Ward Four Alderwoman ShirleyEstes is also unopposed for her seat on the board.

That leaves contested alderman races in Wards One, Two, Three,Five and Six. Democratic primary candidates in those racesinclude:

* Ward One –  incumbent Dorsey Cameron and Elisa Corley Jr.

* Ward Two – incumbent Terry Bates, Sylvester Selmon VernastineByrd and Javelle C. Coleman

* Ward Three – incumbent Mary Wilson and Donald R. Thadison.

* Ward Five – incumbent Tom Smith and D.W. Maxwell, with thewinner facing Republican Don Godbold in the June 7 generalelection.

* Ward Six – incumbent John E. “Buddy” Allen and ScottVinson.

A runoff, if needed in Ward Two, will be held May 17. Followingthe Democratic primary, the Ward Five race will be the only one tobe decided in the general election.

Election winners are scheduled to take office in July.