Two Jones County cities will hold primary elections Tuesday, and some positions should be decided by the time votes are counted.

Polls will be open in both Laurel and Ellisville from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. today so voters may support candidates in mayoral and council races. Citizens in Sandersville and Soso won’t vote today. Candidates in those cities all run as independents, so party primaries are not held in those towns. They’ll join other Mississippi towns and cities in general elections in June. There are no contested Republican party primaries in Laurel Tuesday, so people who plan to vote in a contested race must vote in the Democratic primary, regardless of personal party preference.

“We want to encourage everyone to vote,” Laurel Deputy City Clerk Terri Smith said. “We’re hearing that it’s going to be a low turnout.”

City Clerk Mary Ann Hess added, “All elections matter. All levels, especially local levels are very important. We might get to meet the president one day and shake his hand, but you do get to meet your mayor and your councilperson and make a difference.”

Hess and Smith also urged people to pay attention to polling places. Schools are not being used in today’s primary, and some polling places have changed. Due to a city council meeting Tuesday night, votes will be counted at the Jones County District Two Courthouse in Laurel.

Mayoral candidates running on the Democratic ticket will face-off today. They include incumbent Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack, Jones County Beat 5 Supervisor Jerome Wyatt, Ollie James Williams and James “Papa Doc” Dace. The winner of the primary must get a majority vote to advance to the general election to face independents Daniel “Coach” Darby and Anthony Hudson. If one of the candidates doesn’t get a majority vote, the two with the highest amount of votes will go to a primary runoff in two weeks.

In Ward Two, Councilman Tony Wheat doesn’t have a Republican opponent, but will face Democrat Ken Keyes in the general election.

The race for Ward Five’s council seat should be decided during today’s election. Incumbent Manuel L. Jones Sr. faces challenger Stacy A. Comegys in the Democratic primary. There are no Republican or independent opponents, so the winner of the primary should coast through the general election with the only possible opposition being a write-in candidate.

Ward Six Councilman Johnny Magee also has opposition in the Democratic primary. Charles Johnson and James B. Jones are challenging Magee for that position. Again, there are no Republican or independent candidates in the Ward Six race.

Ward Seven is the most highly contested race for councilperson. Incumbent Councilwoman Cynthia Felecia Mann Breland is facing the Rev. Jerry A. James and Trey W. Chinn in the Democratic primary. The winner must get a majority of the vote; if not, the two top vote receivers will face-off in a runoff in two weeks. Independent Marian A. Allen will be waiting to face the winner of primary in the general election.

In Ellisville, there are only two contested races. Ellisville Mayor Tim Waldrup, along with Ward 1 Alderman Doug Landrum, Ward 2 Alderman Frank Williams, and Ward 4 Alderman James Holifield are each running without opposition. However, Alderman-at-large Walter E. Clark will face challenger Jerry Stacy Tucker and Ward 3 Alderman Aaron Heidelberg will face Sidah Bey.

Ellisville residents will vote at the city hall. That’s also the location where votes will be tallied.