Runoff to Decide Starkville Ward 2 Alderman’s Race

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- There is still no winner in the Ward Two Alderman’s race in Starkville.  Instead, voters will decide in a May 21 runoff.

After again counting and reviewing affidavit ballots from the May 7 Democratic primary Monday morning, incumbent Sandra Sistrunk and challenger Lisa Wynn are tied 181-181.

Representatives from the Secretary of State’s office were on hand for the count of the final 17 affidavit ballots in the race. Eleven were rejected and six were counted.

After conferring with state officials, the city’s election commission opted to let voters decide the race on May 21 when other towns across the region already have runoffs scheduled. Absentee voting for the runoff will begin later this week as soon as ballots can be prepared.

“I think it’s the appropriate resolution to this. It was a very close election. I think it’s the only fair thing…for the voters to have a chance to settle this tie,” Sistrunk said.

“I haven’t even had time to think about it. However, I’ll be prepared and do what I have to do. It’s not something that you want to do, but you have to do what you got to do,” Wynn said.

Voting will follow normal procedures and hours. Ballots will be cast at the Sportsplex on Lynn Lane just as it was for the May 7 primary.

City Clerk Taylor Adams has encouraged Democratic Party election officials to hold the necessary training to avoid the kinds of mistakes and errors that have led to six days of issues over absentee and affidavit ballots.