NATCHEZ — Voters will take to the polls today for the city’s final election showdown to elect a new mayor of Natchez and two aldermen in the city’s general election.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Election Commission Chairman Larry Gardner said with 295 absentee ballots cast for the election, he expects voter turnout to be about the same as it was for the city’s first and second primaries at approximately 40 percent.

Gardner said he hopes voters continue to remember that one vote can make a difference in the election. He said he also hopes the recent Memorial Day reminded people of why they need to vote.

“We remembered those who gave us the ultimate sacrifice to give us the right to live in a free democracy and the right to vote,” Gardner said. “The least we can do is exercise that right to vote in memory of those that have died for us.”

Voters may need to keep an umbrella handy when heading to the polls today as strong to severe storms are possible today, with wind gusts from 50 to 60 mph and nickel to quarter sized hail.

Polling locations are as follows:

• Ward 1: Natchez City Council Chambers

• Ward 2: Frazier Primary School

• Ward 3: Elks Lodge on Lower Woodville Road

• Ward 4: Union Hall

• Ward 5: National Guard Armory on Liberty Road

• Ward 6: Duncan Park Canteen

The candidates in contested races who are on today’s ballot are:

Mayor

• Larry L. “Butch” Brown, Democrat

• Bill Furlow, independent

Ward 3 Alderman

• Bob Pollard, Republican

• Sarah Carter Smith, Democrat

Ward 6 Alderman

• Dan Dillard, Democrat

• Forrest Foster, independent

The online edition of The Natchez Democrat will provide daily updates today before polls close and live election results tonight as results are tallied.

For up-to-the-minute election updates and information, visit natchezdemocrat.com.

For full information on candidates, coverage of political forums and interviews with all candidates in the municipal elections, visit the website’s Election 2012 page.