NATCHEZ — The deadline to register to vote for primary elections is fast approaching.

Adams County residents have until July 7 to register, and with one of the largest number of candidates in county history, people are more interested than ever, county officials said.

“We’ve had an outstanding number of voters register,” Circuit Clerk M.L. “Binkey” Vines said. “It’s been a steady flow of people coming in. There seems to be more interest in this election than the last.”

With the deadline so soon, Vines’ office will open specially from 8 a.m. to noon this coming Saturday and July 7.

“It’s important (to register),” Vines said. “These are major elections coming up, and with presidential elections next year, people need to get involved.”

Residents wanting to register must only submit their social security number or some other form of identification, he said.

Voting is one of the most important things a citizen can do, Election Commissioner Larry Gardner said.

“They have to decide who governs the country — from the top down,” Gardner said. “Those are the people who are going to pass laws on how people live and what taxes people pay. I think it’s very important for people to get involved in the electoral process. Too many things are at stake.”

Primary elections will be held Aug. 7, and general elections will be held Nov. 7.

With the number of candidates running, a runoff, at least among the larger number of Democratic candidates, is almost a certainty, he said.

Sample ballots are available in the election commission’s office, Gardner said. Residents can even vote absentee immediately, if they want.