Selma — Registered voters here in Ward 1 will go to the polls Tuesday to cast their votes for a representative on the Selma City Council.

The two candidates are John Jowers and Tommy Atchison. The winner of the election will fill the spot vacated by Cecil Williamson, who became president of the city council after the death of Geraldine Allen, who was elected president of the council two years ago.

Selma City Clerk Ivy Harrison said polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Only registered voters in Ward 1, about 2,300 individuals, will be allowed to cast their ballots in this special election.

Polling places are the Old National Guard Armory and Memorial Stadium. Absentee voting ended Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 5 p.m., Harrison said.

Both candidates have run a low-key campaign.

Jowers said he has visited with residents of Ward 1.

“I have encountered some opposition, but not too much,” he said. “There’s a possibility I just might win this race.”

Jowers said he does not expect a high voter turnout Tuesday.

During the last city elections Jowers ran for mayor and was defeated by George Evans. Jowers received 42 votes or 1 percent in the four-person contest.

Atchison also has maintained a grass roots campaign.

“I feel like I got called to do it,” Atchison said of his reason for throwing his hat into the ring.

At a meet-and-greet about a month ago, Atchison visited with supporters. He talked about what his father, the late Billy Atchison, who was local manager of Alabama Power Co.,, had done for the city and how his father loved Selma.

That influence and the desire to stay in Selma and raise his family pushed Atchison toward public service.

Atchison is an attorney with Gamble, Gamble & Calame LLC. This is his first political race.