President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into effect the Voting Rights Act of 1965 because of the determination Selma displayed seeking equality, fairness and the right to vote.

More than sweat and tears were shed as Selma became the catalyst for change in regards to voting rights. And because of Selma’s history and the role that our community played in getting that monumental act passed, the expectations for voter turnout is much higher than others.

Yesterday, only 12,300 voters turned out to cast their ballot out of the approximate 29,500 registered voters in the county. That equates to a dismal 41 percent voter turnout for the primary election. To put that number in perspective, six years ago only 500 more voters went to the polls.

Nevertheless, the number of voters who went to the polls yesterday made their voices heard and elected who they deemed best to represent our county in the races for probate judge, sheriff, house representative and a number of state races.

According to unofficial results, it seems there are no run-offs, which would result in Kim Ballard being named the new Probate Judge. Incumbents Rep. Yusuf Salaam and Sheriff Harris Huffman keep their seats.

It’s important to realize that every vote counted yesterday. Had a few hundred votes in the probate judge race went to another candidate other than Ballard, there could have been a runoff for that seat. Kobi Little, a challenger to the seat of probate judge, is optimistic that there still may be light at the end of the political tunnel and a chance of the unofficial results not being as accurate as initially reported.

All the candidates deserve our thanks for stepping out and attempting to make a difference in our county and our community.

And we

all the winners of the races yesterday.