A runoff will be held Dec. 2 to decide the winner of the special election in state Senate District 24, which includes portions of Tallahatchie, Leflore and Panola counties.
Based on districtwide results from Tuesday’s general election, the runoff will pit Curressia M. Brown of Greenwood against Justin Pope of Pope. Brown led the six-person field with 1,535 votes (25%). Pope was second with 1,235 (20%).
Among other Senate hopefuls, Everette Hill had 999 votes (16%), Jason Colquett 996 (16%), Loretta McClee 996 (16%) and Georgio Proctor 494 (8%).
The Dec. 2 winner will complete the term of longtime state Sen. David Jordan of Greenwood, who retired earlier this year at the age of 92.
Among the 17 precincts in Tallahatchie County where voters cast a ballot for Senate District 24, Hill led with 281 votes, Colquett was second with 252 and Brown third with 247. Proctor received 232 votes, Pope 137 and McClee 59.
In other election results:
• A political newcomer defeated an entrenched incumbent to win the Education District 5 race, a seat on the West Tallahatchie School District Board of Trustees. Latrencia C. “Precious” Bounds, 24, topped Cora Hooper, 69, 123-65, capturing 65% of the vote.
“This victory belongs to every student, parent, educator and neighbor who believes in the power of coming together for a brighter future,” said Bounds. “I’m excited to bring fresh ideas, compassion and collaboration to the table as we work to uplift and empower our schools.”
• In Education District 10, a seat on the East Tallahatchie school board, incumbent Bryant Watson won reelection with 119 votes (71%), while Jerrerico Chambers had 27 and Carey Trey Gammill 22.
• In a special election in Education District 4, a West Tallahatchie school board post, Sharon Elaine Bailey received 60 votes (56%) to Rosie Mason Miller’s 47.
There were local reports reports that some voters in western Tallahatchie County were unable to cast a ballot at their polling place or were not offered the opportunity to vote by affidavit ballot when they attempted to vote at a polling place where their name could not be found in the pollbook.
Asked on Election Night, several members of the Tallahatchie County Election Commission said they were unaware of any such reports.
The Sun-Sentinel emailed the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office about whether any election-related complaints had been lodged regarding Tallahatchie County but did not hear back before the posting of this story.
Only one affidavit ballot was cast in Tallahatchie County, and it was denied because of an improper signature, an election official noted.
