This coming Tuesday people all over the country will be heading to the polls to vote in the general election. This election there is a lot at stake.
The biggest item on the ballot will be for the United States President. The biggest two on the ballots are incumbent President Donald Trump, representing the Republican Party, and former Vice President Joe Biden, who is representing the Democrat Party. Other names on the ballot for president include Don Blankenship with the American Constitution Party, Brian Carroll representing the American Solidarity Party, Howie Hawkins for the Green Party, Jo Jorgensen the Libertarian Party and running as Independents are Phil Collins, Brock Pierce and Kanye West.
In Mississippi is the race for U.S. Senate with Incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith with the Republican Party, who is being challenged by Democrat Mike Espy and Libertarian Jimmy Edwards.
U.S. House of Rep. Steven M. Palazzo for the fourth congressional district is running unopposed as is Mike Randolph for the Supreme Court Justice for District 2 (Southern).
Locally Mike Bennett is running unopposed for Election Commissioner for District 1 and so are Van B. Lowery Jr., Smitty D. Bracey and Ada “Jackie” Hammond for Districts 2, 3 and 5, respectively. The only contested race for Election Commissioner is District 4, with Independent Stacy Reagan running against incumbent Republican Thomas “Tommy” Rowell.
Larry Jenkins, Marion County School Board member, also is running unopposed.
There are also three ballot measures, including the hotly contested Initiative 65. Miss. Secretary of State Michael Watson provided a brief summary description:
l Initiative Measure No. 65 proposes to amend the Mississippi Constitution to allow qualified patients with debilitating medical conditions, certified by Mississippi licensed physicians, to use medical marijuana. This amendment would allow medical marijuana to be provided only by licensed treatment centers. The Mississippi State Department of Health would regulate and enforce the provisions of this amendment.
l Alternative Measure 65A: This constitutional amendment is proposed as a legislative alternative measure to Initiative Measure 65 and would establish a program to allow the medical use of marijuana products by qualified persons with debilitating medical conditions.
More information detailing the two are available on the Mississippi Secretary of State website.
This ballot measure has also left a lot of confusion because how it is worded on the ballot. It actually contains two items to be voted on.
In order for Initiative 65 to pass, it must have at least 50% plus one vote. Regardless of whether a person votes for or against the initiative, there is a second part that requires a vote.
After a person decides whether to vote for or against it, there is also a matter of deciding that if it passes, how shall the matter be regulated. Even if a person votes against Initiative 65, they still need to vote on Alternative Measure 65A.
The courthouse will be open Thursday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for absentee voting.
The polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
