NATCHEZ — Approximately 35 percent of registered voters have already voted at the courthouse precinct.

Natchez courthouse Precinct Baliff Augustine Williams said the pace has been steady all day, and by 3:20 p.m. 312 of 910 of the precinct’s registered had voted.

For the most part, the voters have kept their opinions to themselves, Williams said.

“One guy asked how many people had voted when we were approaching 300, and he said that all 910 voters should be voting,” she said.

Voter Mary Eidt said neither the sheriff’s race nor the recreation referendum was a singular drawing force for her.

“We never miss an election,” Eidt said. “We just hope the best man wins.”

But Peter Buttross Sr. said he particularly supported the recreation initiative.

“I came out today to vote for recreation because kids — and even adults — need a place to play,” he said.

“So many men threw their hat in the ring for sheriff, I had a hard time choosing. They were all good men.”

Voter Fleeta Thomas said normally she voted absentee, but she got out Tuesday to see what people she could meet.

She, too, was in favor of the recreation proposal.

“My boys always played ball — that was a long time ago — and I would be glad to see something new,” she said.

By 1:30 p.m., 277 votes had been cast at the Beau Pré precinct, and Elections Commissioner Larry Gardner said other polls were on a similar pace.