September marks voter awareness month

The Office of the Circuit Clerk recognizes the month of September as voter awareness month, prior to the November special election.

Interim Circuit Clerk Angie McGinnis deemed the Nov. 7 special election to be “a very crucial election,” with the ballot featuring two county-wide elections including Chancery Court Clerk and Circuit Court Clerk.

The special election ballot will also include a referendum for OCH on whether the hospital should be sold or not. McGinnis said the formal referendum has not been provided yet for the court.

“As soon as we see the language that comes down from the board attorney then certainly we will start publishing (the OCH

referendum) for people to see,” McGinnis said.

McGinnis wants to use this month as an opportunity for residents to register to vote and to make sure those who have registered have all of their information up-todate.

The most common mistake McGinnis said her office sees is residents who do not update their address information when they move.

Those looking to register can visit the Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerk’s office or go online and download a form from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s website and mail the form into the circuit clerk’s office. If residents have access to email, they can email McGinnis directly with questions and updated information.

McGinnis said the Chancery Court and Circuit Court could not function without these two positions. The purpose

of the two courts is to deal with cases, file paperwork, issue restitution money for victims, organize lawyers for cases and case times, child support and answering questions for the county.

McGinnis said the public needs someone who is experienced to fill these vacant positions.

“These two clerks are very vital to county government,” McGinnis said. “You want the best qualified person to hold these offices.”

By law, absentee ballots have to be prepared 45 days before the election. The court has to concentrate first on providing ballots for the disabled and those with a military background.

McGinnis said voter turnout is statistically proven to have more people vote during the year of a presidential election, but in 2015 there was only one third of registered voters who made it to the polls.

“Don’t let this election day get by without going to the polls and cast your vote,” McGinnis said.