Turnout Dismal In Special Congressional Election

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – So far, voters in north Mississippi are trickling into the polls to cast ballots in a special election to fill the seat vacated by Republican Rep. Alan Nunnelee, who died of brain cancer in February.

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann says there’s been an alarmingly low turnout for the election in which 13 people are vying for the 1st District seat which includes all of 21 counties and part of Oktibbeha County.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday. They close at 7 p.m.

Hosemann urged voters in the district to cast a ballot in the election and honor Nunnelee’s memory.

If nobody receives a majority Tuesday, the top two candidates will advance to a June 2 runoff. The winner will serve most of a two-year term started by Nunnelee.