Campaigning in the 2012 elections for most candidates comes to an end Tuesday when voters go to the polls to make their choices known in contests for several federal, state and local offices.

     In total, Lincoln County’s ballot Tuesday will feature nine contested races ranging from president to a special election for circuit clerk. If no candidate in the eight-person circuit clerk field gets a majority, the top two vote-getters will continue campaigning until a Nov. 27 runoff.

     The president’s race and the clerk’s race, one at the top of the ballot and the other at the bottom, likely will be the most closely watched contests of the night. Aspects of the two races, though, couldn’t be more different.

     Voters Tuesday will not actually be voting for Democratic President Barack Obama or Republican challenger Mitt Romney, but rather for a slate of electors to support one or the other in the Electoral College. Whichever candidate wins Mississippi’s popular vote will get all of the state’s six votes – equal to its number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives plus two U.S. Senate seats – in the Electoral College.

     The Electoral College is made up of 538 electors. Either Obama or Romney must capture a majority of 270 to claim the presidency.

     By all accounts, Mississippi’s six college votes have already been put in the Romney column. For that reason, neither candidate has spent much time or money here, nor has there been any suspense locally or statewide on who the victor will be here.

     On the other end of the ballot is the special election for circuit clerk, which was needed following Terry Lynn Watkins’ resignation earlier this year.

     Predicting a special election winner is impossible, as all eight candidates have good backgrounds and areas of support across the county. Couple that will spirited campaigns run by several of the office-seekers and the only reasonable expectation is a runoff on Nov. 27.

     In between the president and circuit clerk’s races are a number of other important contests for voters to consider.

     Under the federal election heading are contests for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. Both incumbent Republicans, 3rd District U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, are expected to cruise to re-election.

     The lone state race on the county ballot is for a seat on the state Supreme Court. Incumbent Justice Mike Randolph is being challenged by Hattiesburg attorney Talmadge Braddock.

     While the race for state Supreme Court has received very little attention, in reality, the race is of vital importance for Mississippians as the outcome of the race may determine the leanings of the high court on the outcome of plaintiff or tort litigation.

     After an abuse of the state’s judicial system by plaintiff attorney seeking multi-million dollar jury verdicts on personal injury lawsuits the Mississippi Legislature has responded with tort reform legislation that placed caps on excessive damage rewards. The Legislature was trying to close the outflow on medical and business interests who were leaving the state.

     Justice Randolph tends to side with current legislation while his opponent is supported by plaintiff attorney interests.

     Voters should consider the direction they would like the courts to go before casting their vote. A vote for Randolph keeps the status quo. A vote for Braddock leans the court toward back to the days prior to tort reform.

     Locally, election commissioners and two Lincoln County School District board of trustees seats will also be determined. However, only the Districts Two, Four and Five election commissioner and Educational District One trustee posts are being contested.

     From the highest office in the land to small local contests, voting plays the determining role in who will fill those posts. Tuesday’s ballot is a perfect example.

            Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Go vote!