With just 53 days until the primaries, potential voters should take steps to make sure their ballots can be cast on Aug. 4.

Voters that are new to the Lincoln County voting system need to register by July 4. Circuit Clerk Dustin Bairfield said his office will be open that day from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. New voters are those who have never registered to vote before or those who have recently moved into the county.

Voters who are already registered in the county have until Aug. 1 to update addresses if they have moved within the county.

Absentee ballots will be mailed to military and overseas voters on June 19. Other absentee ballots must be cast in office by Aug. 1 or received by mail in the Circuit Clerk’s office by Aug. 3 at 5 p.m.

“You’re not going to want to wait until Saturday to put it in the mail,” Bairfield said.

Mailed ballots require voters to purchase three stamps, one for the affidavit and two for the ballot, to return the votes. Also, Bairfield said if someone receives an absentee ballot through the mail, it must be returned through the mail.

Bairfield encouraged each person that is eligible to vote to do so. He said that in county elections, it can frequently come down to just a couple votes.

“From that point of view, there’s really an emphasis on every vote counts,” he said. “It’s a privilege to vote that people before us have fought for, and they continue to fight to keep our rights.”

Voters also need a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license. Bairfield said that IDs that have expired in the last 10 years can be used, and IDs that have no expiration date can be used within 10 years of the issue date.

If an individual does not have an ID, they can get one by contacting the Circuit Clerk’s office (601-833-3435) and providing a non-government ID, Social Security card, voter registration card, utility bill, birth certificate, Medicaid or Medicare card, paycheck or government check, bank statement, W-2 form or other government document.

Polling precincts

On July 21 at 2 and 6 p.m., July 22 – 23 at 2 p.m. and July 25 at 9 a.m., the Circuit Clerk’s office will host a poll worker training session. The sessions are open to the public, and Bairfield asks that candidates also attend to learn about the dos and don’ts at the precincts.

“I would encourage candidates or a representative of the candidate to come and listen if they plan on having poll watchers so they are compliant with the law,” he said.

Bairfield also said they are currently looking for poll workers. They need about 186 poll workers, three for each party at each of the precincts. Anyone who is a registered voter can serve as a poll worker.

Although they try to have all Democrat tables staffed by Democrats and vice versa, sometimes there will be cross-over. The poll manager for each party must be affiliated with the party.

Also, people who are related within the third-degree of a candidate cannot serve as poll workers. Relatives include parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, children, aunts and uncles.

To volunteer, voters can call the Circuit Clerk’s office.

School board races

The qualifying period for school board races will be from Aug. 5 at 8 a.m. to Sept. 4 at 5 p.m.

The Lincoln County School District board will have the Bogue Chitto and West Lincoln seats open. The position is a six-year term. The candidates are required to turn in 50 signatures.

The Brookhaven School District board will have one at-large position open. The seat will represent those who live outside the city limits and within the BSD lines. The position is for five years. Candidates are required to turn in 50 signatures.