An election that will determine whether or not Valley Grande incorporates is 48 hours away.

The election will occur at the Valley Grande Community Center this Thursday, Jan. 9. The poll opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m.

Dallas County Probate Judge Johnny Jones said that the election on Thursday won’t be any different from any other election.

Jones added that three election inspectors: Judy Harris, Betty Ross and Roland Griffin, will be responsible for counting the ballots and certifying the election results with himself.

On election day people eligible to vote will tell the inspectors their name. The inspectors then find the voter’s name on a list and highlight it before writing it on a clerk’s list. The voter will then sign their name on a voter’s list.

The election inspector said that the voter is then given a ballot and a pen.

After the voter chooses either “corporation” or “no corporation” on the ballot, they then put the ballot in the ballot box.

The inspector added that once the poll closes then only the three inspectors and two sworn-in poll watchers, one for corporation and one against, will be allowed in the building. The ballot box will be opened and the votes counted and properly recorded on a certification sheet given to them by Jones.

All ballots, used and unused, will be put in box at that point and the box sealed with a record of election seal.

Dallas County Sheriff Harris Huffman said that at least one deputy would be at the poll during the day. He added that those campaigning for or against incorporation would have to stay at least 30 feet away from the poll’s entrance.

“The people have a right to vote,” Huffman said. “They have a right to vote and not be harassed.”

Huffman said that usually people campaigning at polls get carried away by wanting their candidate to win and that’s why they cross the 30 foot line. However, he added, he didn’t expect that Thursday.