9 a.m.: Turnout low in some Jackson precincts
Voter turnout so far has been low at Jackson’s Fire Station 26 and Fire Station 7 precincts.
No issues at the polls have been reported as voting continues.
8:30 a.m.: Crystal Springs man says fuel prices, inflation concerning
Sitting outside the J. T. Biggs Memorial Library in Crystal Springs, Cleo Jackson of Crystal Springs was the only person waiting to vote there when the doors opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Jackson said exercising his right to vote is something instilled in him.
“My mom and dad and grandparents raised me,” Jackson said. “They taught us to vote.
“Some people say their vote doesn’t count. Sometimes stuff be won by one vote. If you don’t vote you can’t complain about nothing. As long as I’m able to vote, I’m going to.”
While he votes in every election, he said the economy is a big issue during this election cycle. Jackson said he’s concerned about inflation and gas prices in particular. He said it bothers him that more oil is not being produced in the U.S. and feels the nation is too reliant on foreign oil imports.
Jackson said people in the small town who commute to work are being seriously impacted by record-high fuel prices.
“I got gas one morning and it was $4.18,” Jackson said. “Gas truck came that evening and it went up to $4.43.
“That’s a big hike. People that got to drive from Crystal Springs to Nissan or Clinton, they feeling it.”
Jackson said he’s been a truck driver for more than 40 years and said fuel prices have forced life-changing decisions on some drivers.
“A lot of guys that owned their own truck, they parted with it,” Jackson said. “They went to work for some big company.”
8 a.m.: Group offers rides to polling places
Mississippi MOVE is offering rides to people who need help getting to their precincts to vote in Tuesday’s primaries.
Registered voters in Holmes, Hinds, Rankin and Forrest counties can schedule a ride by calling or texting 662-205-6683.
Masks are required and must cover the face from nose to chin. Masks will be provided for those who do not have one. An
6 a.m.: Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday
Polls open at 7 a.m. across Mississippi for the Republican and Democratic primary races for U.S. House of Representatives.
The Clarion Ledger will be reporting from the polls throughout the day so check this link regularly for updates or follow the hashtag #MSElex on Twitter.
Note: If you witness or experience issues at the polls or have questions about voting that aren’t answered at your precinct, call the Mississippi Secretary of State’s election hotline at 800-829-6786.
Mississippi has four congressional districts: northeastern Mississippi, two in central Mississippi and one in south Mississippi. District lines changed slightly this year, following population changes indicated by the 2020 Census.
Mississippi:Contested races expected for party primary elections in 2022
Each of the state’s four incumbents face opposition within their parties in the primaries this year. The winners of the primaries will go on the November ballot where they will face a new challenger.
District 1 incumbent Rep. Trent Kelly has one Republican challenger in Mark Strauss. The winner of the District 1 Republican primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary, either Hunter Avery or Dianne Black in November.
Not sure where to vote? Click here to find your polling place.
District 2 incumbent Rep. Bennie Thompson will face Jerry Kerner in the Democratic primary. Four Republican hopefuls, Michael Carson, Ronald Eller, Brian Flowers and Stanford Johnson, are vying to unseat the longtime congressman. Only one Republican will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the November election.
District 3 incumbent Michael Guest will face two Republican challengers in Michael Cassidy and Thomas Griffin. Only one Democrat qualified for the office. Shuwaski Young will appear on the November ballot along with the winner of the Republican primary.
For subscribers:Read more about the candidates here
District 4 incumbent Steven Palazzo faces the heaviest opposition with six Republican challengers in the primary: Carl Boyanton, Raymond Brooks, Mike Ezell, Kidron Peterson, Clay Wagner and Brice Wiggins. The winner of the Republican primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary — either Johnny DuPree or David Sellers — and Libertarian candidate Alden Johnson in November.
Clarion Ledger reporters Lici Beveridge, Brian Broom, Joshua Williams, Ross Reily and Kierra Fleming, photographer Hannah Mattix and editor Scott Hawkins are contributing to this story.
