NATCHEZ &045; Candidates for both mayor and municipal judge spent most of their time Monday putting the finishing touches on their campaigns for the runoff today.

The winner of the Democratic primary runoff for mayor will face Republican Sue Stedman and independent Richard Branyan in the June 8 general election. The winner of the judge’s race will be elected to the office, since there is no other opposition in the general election.

Donnie Holloway, Natchez city clerk, hopes the turnout for the upcoming Democratic primary runoffs for both the mayor and the municipal judge will be the same as it was for the first primary. Voter turnout for the primary two weeks ago was about 50 percent.

The polls will open at 7 a.m. today and will remain open until 7 p.m. Holloway noted that weather might be a factor in influencing voter turnout.

&uot;If it’s nice, we should have a good turnout,&uot; Holloway said. &uot;It might be the same as last time, maybe better.&uot;

Municipal judge candidate Patricia Dunmore and her staff spent most of her time on Monday campaigning door-to-door and over the telephone and also organizing which precincts her staff will work.

&uot;We are calling people and reminding them to vote,&uot; Dunmore said. &uot;We are also trying to relax.&uot;

Dunmore hopes to highlight the issue of who is more qualified for the position.

&uot;I believe that I’m more qualified,&uot; she said. &uot;I’ve had 25 years’ experience in litigation. On the average I have spent at least once a month in the courtroom for the last 25 years.&uot;

Dunmore’s opponent, Jim Blough, said his staff is also still campaigning for the municipal judge position via the telephone and by visiting voters door-to-door. Blough wants to emphasize the issue of the preservation of the city court in his campaign. He has served as the municipal judge pro tem for the last 27 years.

&uot;My hope is that voters will look at my 27 years experience,&uot; Blough said.

Both candidates believe voter turnout will be about the same and are hoping to have a larger crowd for this primary.

&uot;I think the turnout will be the same as the first primary,&uot; Dunmore said.

Democratic mayoral incumbent and candidate F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith also believes that weather will have an influence on voter turnout.

&uot;Historically, if the weather is bad the turnout is bad,&uot; Smith said. &uot;If it is nice, the turnout is usually better.

We’re just hoping for good weather.&uot;

Smith also indicated he wanted to highlight the same issues that have been present throughout the primary including jobs, water rates and recreation. &uot;Things that I have tried to improve upon and hope to continue to improve upon in the next four years,&uot; Smith said.

State Rep. Phillip West, candidate for the Democratic primary runoff for mayor of Natchez, said he is spending his time answering the phone and organizing work for his staff.

&uot;We are trying to get ready,&uot; West said. &uot;We want to help unify the community with the shared vision that all of the people must support each other.&uot;

According to City Clerk Donnie Holloway, the number of absentee ballots sent out as of 5pm on Monday totaled 316.

In regards to the distribution of the ballots: 169 were mailed out and of those 110 were received, 147 people voted in office.

In relation to the last primary’s ballots:

329 total were sent out.

Of those ballots, 175 were mailed and 100 of them were received, 156 people voted in office.