Qualifying for municipal elections has come to a briefstandstill less than a week before the qualifying deadline.

All incumbents but two having put in their bids for re-election,and one of those has said he will not seek another term in office.Several challengers have also signed up to seek electedoffices.

Circuit Clerk Mike Jinks said with current Mayor Bob Massengillnot in the running for the next election, it’s hard to tell whatthe last week of qualifying might look like.

“This is a unique situation since I’ve been clerk,” he said.”Without the mayor running, it’s hard to know what to expect. But Iwon’t be surprised if there are some surprises.”

Jinks said earlier in the season that sometimes the first weekand the last week of qualifying can be the busiest for turning instatements of intent. With only Ward Five Alderman D.W. Maxwellamong city incumbents left to qualify, any other activity wouldhave to come from new challengers.

Meanwhile, some candidates have already begun the groundattack.

“There are signs up now,” Jinks said. “Some people started justafter qualifications opened.”

Jinks said after the March 6 qualifying deadline, the next thingvoters need to be aware of is that absentee ballots will beavailable on or after March 21. He said voters who want to voteabsentee must either come into the city clerk’s office in person ormail in their application before their ballots can be cast.

“For people to vote absentee, they have to come into the officein person, or you can mail or call in your request, but it can’t becarried,” he said. “And if it’s mailed out, it has to be mailedback.”

Jinks said anyone with questions on absentee ballots may callhis office for more information at 601-833-2362.

Primary elections will take place May 5, with the generalelection being held June 2.

Election qualifiers to date include:

* Mayor: The Rev. Jerry Wilson, D, and Alderman at Large LesBumgarner, I

* City Clerk: Mike Jinks, D

* Police Chief: Incumbent Arlustra “Pap” Henderson, D

* Alderman At Large: L. Ralph Smith, D, Terry Pappas, R, andKaren Sullivan, I

* Ward One Alderman: Incumbent Dorsey Cameron and Elisa Corley,both Democrats

* Ward Two Alderman: Incumbent Terry Bates, Vernastine Byrd andIdella Sanders, all Democrats.

* Ward Three Alderman: Incumbent Mary Wilson, D, RooseveltCollins, D, and Brian Moore, R

* Ward Four Alderman: Incumbent Shirley Estes, R, Asem Zeini, R,and David Smith, I

* Ward Five Alderman: Fletcher Grice, R

* Ward Six Alderman: Incumbent David Phillips, I, and RobertKenny, D