NATCHEZ — Local election watchers said they expect a 40- to 45-percent voter turnout Tuesday, based on the amount of absentee ballots counted Saturday, the last day vote absentee.

After doors closed at noon at the Adams County Circuit Clerk’s office, a total of 389 absentee ballots had been counted.

“That’s a pretty good number,” Election Commissioner Larry Gardner said. “So we should have a decent turnout.”

Gardner said turnout is usually higher in primaries or when there are more local races.

“The key thing you have to remember is there is no local contest other than in District 5,” Gardner said.

The three major elections for the area on the ballot are for seats in the Mississippi House of Representatives, and Senate and for District 5 supervisor.

Sen. Melanie Sojourner faces Bob M. Dearing in the District 37 Senate race. Rep. Sam C. Mims V will be going up against Kitty Sasser for the District 97 House seat.

For the District 5 Supervisor position, Calvin Butler will face Grady Wilson.

Also on the ballot is Initiative 42, a constitutional amendment that seeks to change the way schools are funded. The alternative measure, 42A, will also be on the ballot.

Gardner said 42 could discourage or encourage people to come to the polls. Accepting or rejecting 42 requires two steps and might confuse and drive people away, he said.

But if voters have strong feelings about it, Gardner said it might also drive them to the polls.

Two poll locaitons have also changed since the last election. Voters who used to vote at Church of Christ in the Beau Pré precinct will now vote at the Calvary Baptist Church Family Life Center at 522 U.S. 61 South. The new location is just across the highway from the old location.

By-Pass Fire Station voters will also move from the fire station on John R. Junkin Drive to Mississippi Auto Direct at 250 John R. Junkin Drive, the former East Honda location.

Earlier in the year the Elk’s Lodge voting station on Lower Woodville Road was also moved to Crosspoint Baptist Church at 285 Highland Blvd.

“Even if you’ve only got one issue or one candidate you want to address, go out and vote,” Gardner said. “Don’t let someone else decide that for you.”

The last day for an absentee ballot to be accepted by mail is today. The last mail pick up is at 4 p.m.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. If anyone has any questions, they can contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 601-446-6326 or the Election Commissioner’s office at 601-445-7905.