Video: What to Expect Election Day

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NORTH MISSISSIPPI & WEST ALABAMA (WCBI)- After listening to months of campaigning, driving by dozens of road signs and being bombarded with commercials, voters in Northeast Mississippi and West Alabama finally go to the polls Tuesday. While the ballot in both states is not as crowded as many states, area voters still have some important decisions that go beyond the vote for president.

Obviously the race the nation will be watching Tuesday is the race between President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney. But four other third party candidates will also appear on the ballot in Mississippi and three in Alabama.

Most voters in Northeast Mississippi will also pick their favorites in the First District congressional race where Republican Alan Nunnelee is seeking a second term. Democrat Brad Morris is his biggest challenger. Three other people also are on the ballot.

Some area residents will cast ballots in the second or third congressional districts, depending on where they live.

In West Alabama, the 4th and 7th Congressional district races are on the ballot for some residents.

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker is also seeking his first full term with a challenge from Democrat Albert Gore of Starkville and two other candidates.

In the race for District 3 seat on the supreme court, Josiah Coleman of Pontotoc County and Flip Phillips of Batesville have waged a heated campaign. The candidates don’t run with party affiliations, but outside interest groups have pumped thousands of dollars into television advertising in an effort to win a seat that could decide which way the state’s highest court leans for the next few years.

In local races, several counties across the region have contested races for school board seats and Election Commissioners. The biggest race is in Calhoun County where nine people are running in a special election for the open Chancery Court seat.

And finally in West Alabama, Lamar, Fayette and Marion counties all have hotly-contested races for Probate Judge. All three counties have big circuit court clerk races as well.

Polls are open in both states tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election officials in both states are expecting high turnouts.

Precincts have changed in some areas because of redistricting, so be sure to check with your circuit clerk’s office.