Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

The run-off election for the open Ward 3 seat on the Selma City Council is underway.

At 1:30 p.m., about 300 people had made their choice known — 95 voters at the Dallas County Courthouse, 205 voters at the Christian Outreach Alliance.

“The first week in July — as long as I can remember, that’s vacation time,” said poll worker Jean T. Martin. “Sometimes a year ahead they have reservations made and planned ahead.

“So I think that accounts for a smaller turnout.”

Poll worker Jacque Johnson at Christian Outreach Alliance also cited the holidays as the reason for low turnout, but she said she hoped more people would come throughout the afternoon.

“I hope they’re coming out and we’ll make a big rush here at the finish,” Johnson said. “I think our total votes, between the absentee and who shows up, I think that will be the same as the last election.”

Poll workers aren’t the only ones who hope the votes keep rolling in. Candidates Gwen Brown and Greg Bjelke, along with their workers, are also rushing toward that 7 p.m. finish line when the polls will close.

“You never really know exactly what’s happening until it’s all over,” Brown said. “But I feel good.”

Bjelke said he has spent most of the day running back and forth making sure his workers are comfortable.

“I’ve got good workers,” Bjelke said. “We want a smashing victory. We want a landfall.”

Brown said this is an important election for Selma.

“Ward 3 really represents the city as a whole,” Brown said. “I do think that we need somebody in office in this position that represents the diversity.

“If more and more people come out, I’ll feel real good about the results.”

Martin said she thinks their peak in voting numbers will come in the afternoon.

“I’m hoping that people will take advantage of it and vote,” Martin said. “I feel so strongly, and I said several times: if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.”

Bjelke said although it has been a strange day, he’s not worried about the voter turnout.

“It’s just crucial for getting (Ward 3) back in shape and getting it back on the track, and getting it cleaned up and getting people coming back to Selma,” Bjelke said. “It’s just so important.”

Both polling places will remain open until 7 p.m. Following the closing of the polls, the absentee ballots will be counted and the unofficial results will be announced in the city council chambers at Selma City Hall.