Absentee voting for Tuesday’s Democratic and Republican primaryrunoffs finished on a strong note, which could be a good indicatorof actual turnout tomorrow, said Lincoln County Circuit Clerk TerryLynn Watkins.

Watkins said 407 people had either voted absentee in her officeor requested a ballot by mail. That total compared favorably to thealmost 500 who voted absentee in the first primary.

“It really picked up a lot at the end of last week,” Watkinssaid about runoff absentee voting.

Saturday was the last day to vote absentee in the clerk’soffice. Mailed-out absentee ballots must be returned by mail by 5p.m. Monday.

“We never get everything back that we’ve mailed out,” saidWatkins, indicating that the final absentee total will be littleless than 407.

Most people voting absentee did so in the Democratic primary.Watkins said there were “very few” Republican primaryparticipants.

Six races are on the Democratic Party ballot and two races makeup the Republican Party ballot. Polls will be open Tuesday from 7a.m. to 7 p.m.

Contests and candidates on the Democratic ballot include:

* State Treasurer – Gary Anderson and Robert H. “Rob” Smith

* District Attorney, District 14 – Dewitt “Dee” T. Bates Jr. andHilton R. Miller

* Sheriff – incumbent Lynn Boyte and Post 1 Constable JamesWiley Calcote

* Supervisor, District 1 – Larry J. Boyd and the Rev. Jerry L.Wilson

* Supervisor, District 5 – incumbent Gary Walker and Bob K.Smith

* Constable, Post 1 – Charles Ralph Smith Jr. and “Don” DonaldR. Smith

Republican races on Tuesday’s primary ballot include:

* State Treasurer – Wayne Burkes and Tate Reeves

* Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce – Roger D. Crowderand Max Phillips

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 4.