The Ward Five alderman race remains as the only contest to bedecided during Tuesday’s general election in Brookhaven, althoughall polling places will be open as required by law, city electionofficials said.

“All the polls will open promptly at 7 a.m.,” said BonitaBullock, Brookhaven Election Commission chairwoman.

With citywide offices and most aldermen posts decided, though,officials were not anticipating a big turnout across the city.

“In Ward Five, I think there will probably be a good turnout,”Bullock said.

In that ward, Democrat D.W. (Dorsey) Maxwell faces RepublicanDon Godbold, part-owner of Riverwood Memorial Park. Maxwell, aformer member of the city’s planning commission, defeated incumbentTom Smith by three votes in the Democratic party primary lastmonth.

“I feel like Dorsey and Don have worked the ward to encouragepeople to get out and vote,” Bullock said. “It’ll probably bebetter than in the primary.”

Absentee balloting may be an indicator of that. More than 50people have requested absentee ballots.

“The majority of it is going to be Ward Five,” said City ClerkMike Jinks.

Almost all of the absentee ballots were from voters who askedthat ballots be sent to them in the mail. Jinks said the ballotswill have to be returned by mail and received no later than 5 p.m.Monday.

“The post office works well with us there,” Jinks said. “Theyknow we’ll be checking on them (returned ballots) several timesthat day.”

While Ward Five will have the city’s only contested race, otherwards will be open for voters to cast ballots in unopposedraces.

“The Secretary of State’s office says we have to have all thepolls open,” Bullock said. “They will be manned and ballots will bethere.”

To keep down costs, Bullock said all wards except five will havethe minimum-required three poll workers. Ward Five will have fiveworkers, Bullock said.

Mayor Bob Massengill, Jinks, Police Chief Pap Henderson,Alderman at large Les Bumgarner and Ward Four Alderwoman ShirleyEstes were unopposed for their offices. Ward One Alderman DorseyCameron, Ward Two Alderman Terry Bates, Ward Three Alderwoman MaryWilson and Ward Six Alderman John E. “Buddy” Allen won in theDemocratic primary and do not have any Republican opponents.

Polls will be open Tuesday until 7 p.m.