NATCHEZ — Adams County voters may have to wait until after Thanksgiving to meet their new sheriff.

Elections Commissioner Larry Gardner said it’s likely that absentee ballots won’t be counted until Nov. 30, six days after the Nov. 24 runoff election.

But either candidate, Ray Brown or Chuck Mayfield, could claim enough votes from the polls on Election Day for commissioners to announce an unofficial winner.

“With the shorter time frame, you’re not going to have near as many absentee ballots,” Gardner said. “If there is a 300-vote margin, I can guarantee you there won’t be 300 absentee ballots (to make up the difference.)”

Gardner said election workers will spend the Wednesday after the election returning voting equipment and packing up. Everyone will leave early to celebrate the holiday, and absentee counting likely won’t begin.

“There is no way we’ll be able to certify (absentee ballots) in one day,” Gardner said. “Hopefully we can wrap it up on (Nov. 30), and the individual can take office (Dec. 1.)”

Absentee ballots were printed Monday and were available to fill out Tuesday. Absentee voting is ongoing.

The circuit clerk’s office will accept mail-in ballots until 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23.

In-house absentee voting will continue at the circuit clerk’s office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Nov. 21 will be the last day in-house absentee ballots are accepted.

Voters who will be out of town on Election Day can absentee vote.

Voters who did not vote in the Nov. 3 election can vote in the runoff.