McComb officials pushed forward Monday with a plan to change the city’s general election date once again after their first attempt resulted in a schedule that conflicts with Congressional primary elections.
In 2011, McComb selectmen unanimously voted to shorten their terms by six months and move the municipal elections up five months, slating the primary election for May 6 and the general election for June 3. Then, officials realized last fall that city voters would have to take part in two different elections on the same day — with most having to vote at two different precincts.
After more than an hour of discussion on Selectman Michael Cameron’s motion, seconded by Selectwoman Tammy Witherspoon, the board voted 5-1 Monday night to amend the city’s charter again, potentially moving the general election to June 17 while leaving the primary election dates unchanged.
Selectman Melvin Joe Johnson cast the lone dissenting vote.
“I think it should stay the same as we said it was going to be, based on the opinion of our attorney,” Johnson said.
City administrator Quordiniah Lockley said the election could not officially be moved until multiple state officials, including Gov. Phil Bryant, approve the change.
Board attorney Wayne Dowdy told selectmen at last week’s work session that he worried the election date was now too close to change, but selectmen on Monday kept pushing, saying the change needed to be made in order to eliminate voter confusion.
“I’m under the same opinion I said a few weeks ago,” Selectman Tommy McKenzie said. “We made a gallant effort to make it less confusing on the voters, and we proceeded to do just the opposite. I would like for us to right that if we can.”
Dowdy must follow a similar process to the one that changed the election dates in 2011, minus approval from the U.S Department of Justice since the U.S. Supreme Court decision changed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to remove federal preclearance requirements for elections change in Mississippi and several other states.
Dowdy will have to publish a notice in the newspaper as soon as possible to begin a 30-day waiting period. During that time, if at least 10 percent of McComb’s 6,000 registered voters file a petition opposing the change, the city would have to have a referendum vote — which also would be held on June 3, along with the general election.
Dowdy’s next step is to have the paperwork approved by the attorney general’s office, followed by the governor’s office before filing with the secretary of state. Dowdy said he does not expect the legal ad to run before Monday.
“I’ll get it in the paper as soon as I can and as soon as it’s legally safe to do so,” he said. “I’ve got to look at whether or not it can pre-date the approval of your minutes from tonight’s meeting.”
The qualifying deadline for candidates is 5 p.m. March 7.
City officials elected in June will take office July 1.
