Ward Three voters head to the polls Tuesday to cast their votesin a special election for alderman.

Four candidates are vying for the position that became vacantwhen the Rev. Jerry L. Wilson took office last month as LincolnCounty District One supervisor. The candidates include Mrs. JerryL. Wilson; Clarence B. “Doc” Johnson, a former alderman of the word; George Faust, owner of a fire equipment servicing business; andSouth Railroad Avenue resident David Howard.

Election officials said they are prepared for Tuesday. Pollswill be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for voting in the city boardroomat the government complex.

Bonita Bullock, Brookhaven Election Commission chairwoman, didnot venture a guess on the expected turnout.

“We’ll have your regular voters who usually vote in Ward Three,”Bullock said.

Through Saturday, the last day to vote absentee in the CityClerk’s Office, there were more candidates than voters.

Two people had voted absentee in the office and one had returnedan absentee ballots by mail, officials said. Twelve absenteeballots that were mailed out earlier must be returned by mail my 5p.m. Monday in order to be counted.

Bullock said there are approximately 1,200 voters in WardThree.

“With a special election, you wont’ have the kind of turnoutyou’d have with a normal election,” Bullock said.

If no candidate receives a majority Tuesday, a runoff betweenthe top two vote-getters will be Tuesday, Feb. 17. The winner willserve through June 2005.

Bullock as expecting a smooth election day Tuesday.

“We’re going to make sure it’s run right,” she said. “We don’twant to have any problems.”