By Billy Davis

It’s got to be one of the most confusing elections, ever, in Panola County.

Many Panola voters who aren’t paying attention, or who don’t read The Panolian, are bound to be surprised August 2. That’s because the candidate they expect to vote for might not be on the ballot.

At least not yet.

“I’m just wondering if a lot of people will be confused at the polls,” said Jimmy McCloud, a Democrat running for sheriff.

He faces Sheriff Otis Griffin, a fellow Democrat, in the August 2 primary. The winner of the primary will then face Dennis Darby in the November 8 General Election.  

McCloud has reason to wonder. He relayed a story that his wife, Bessie, was passing out political flyers in Batesville when a voter told her he was voting for Darby August 2.

“When she tried to tell him Dennis wouldn’t be on the ballot, he didn’t believe her,” said McCloud. “She couldn’t convince him otherwise.”

In fact Darby will be on the ballot November 8 after running for sheriff in 2010.

“I’m finding out the same thing, that this election is confusing to people,” said Darby, when told of McCloud’s observation.

In Panola County races, the November ballot will include Darby and seven other independents seeking public office and one, Chancery Clerk Jim Pitcock, who is seeking re-election.

Three of the nine independents — Wade Meek, James Perkins, and Michael Simon — are in a single race for District 4 supervisor, where Democrat Kelly Morris is seeking re-election.

In the Democratic Primary, Morris or challenger Jarrell Mills will advance to November, where the three independents and Republican Phil Herron will also be on the ballot.

Herron’s name may look familiar, too, since he also ran for Panola sheriff in 2010 in a special election that did not include party affiliations.  

Some District 4 voters may also look up and down the August 2 ballot for a third Democrat, Richard Hubbard. He has since withdrawn.

Panolian editor Rupert Howell pointed out in a July 5 commentary that a District 4 candidate can win in November by winning just 20 percent, plus one, of the total votes cast. Approximately 2,000 votes were cast in 2007, meaning if that turnout is the same, a supervisor candidate can win office with about 400 votes.

At least one independent candidate, District 3 supervisor candidate Boyce Crowell, says he is keeping a low profile until after the August 2 Primary.

Citing possible voter confusion, Crowell declined to participate in a questionnaire for supervisor candidates which is set to publish July 22.

“Because I am running as an Independent, I’ve decided to wait until after the primaries to begin discussing my candidacy,” Crowell said in a prepared statement.

 “I don’t want to muddy the water, or cause any confusion, as the primary process runs its course,” he said.

Four Democrats are seeking the District 3 seat, including incumbent Gary Thompson. Crowell and Republican Monty Thomas will face the winner November 8.

A third Republican, Bubba Terrell, will be on the November ballot in the District 2 supervisors race.

The following are independent candidates whose names will appear on the ballot in the Nov. 8 General Election:

•Chris Bracato, supervisor     •Boyce Crowell, supervisor
•Dennis Darby, sheriff    •Wade Meek, supervisor
•James Perkins, supervisor    •Jim Pitcock, chancery clerk*       •Michael Simon, supervisor    •George Williford, circuit clerk
•Butch Still, justice court judge
    *Incumbent seeking re-election