A bit confused about the April 1 election? You’re not alone.
What is the purpose of the April 1 Election in Mississippi?
Tuesday April 1, 2025, is Mississippi’s Municipal Primary Election day. This is the election for your local city government officials – Mayor, Ward Aldermen, an Alderman-at-Large, and Police Chief. In many ways, they can have more effect on our daily lives than those elected in Federal election cycles. Primary Election run-off, if needed, will be on April 27. The General Election for these Municipal offices will be on June 3, 2025; Run-off election day will be June 22nd.
You can still vote before Election Day (if you hurry)
First, be aware that “qualified” registered voters can still cast their ballots in person ahead of election day. Voters must meet the qualifications and must go to City Hall to vote. Voting ends at noon on Saturday March 29, 2025. Don’t forget to take your identification and be prepared to state the reason for your absentee vote. If in doubt of your eligibility, give the Municipal Clerk’s office a call at 662-534-1015 to check your status.
You may still vote “ABSENTEE” in person at City Hall from 8am – 5pm on Friday March 28 or from 8 am to noon Saturday, March 29 if:
- You are 65 or older.
- You are permanently physically disabled or are currently temporarily disabled.
- You will be unable to vote in person because you are required to be at work on election day during the times at which the polls will be open or on-call during the times when the polls will be open.
- You meet one of several other less common qualifications that will prevent you from going to the poll on election day.
What changes will voters see in the election process on April 1, 2025?
All registered voters may vote in the April 1 election. All voters voting in person on April 1st will vote at the Community Center at 307 Wilson Street. Don’t forget your identification.
Typically, voters would face the choice of voting in the Democratic primary or the Republican primary. However, New Albany has no Democrats in this year’s primary. Two candidates in the Ward 3 Alderman race, formerly registered as Democrats, have agreed to run as Independents. This adds to the importance of voting on April 1, as up to three elections could be decided in the primary. Those races are:
- Ward 4 Alderman
- Alderman-at-Large
- Mayor (only if one of the 3 candidates gets over 50% of the votes cast.
The two newly Independent Ward 3 Alderman candidates, the single Independent incumbent candidate for Ward 1 Alderman, and the current, unopposed Chief of Police will not be on the April 1 ballot, but will be on the General Election ballot.
So, what candidates will actually be on the ballots April 1st?
Candidates who will be on the Tuesday April 1 ballot are:
- Candidates for Mayor are PJ Doyle, Tim Kent and Jeff Olson.
- Candidates for Alderman-at-Large are Johnny Anderson and Keith Conlee.
- Wards One and Three voters will vote only for Mayor and Alderman-at-Large.
- Ward Four voters will vote for Mayor, Alderman-at-Large and for either Brandon Pannell or Will Tucker as Ward 4 Alderman.
- Voters will be asked to vote for candidates for the Republican Municipal Executive Committee. This is not mandatory.
Get prepared for the General election in June: Full information on Absentee voting: https://www.sos.ms.gov/absentee-voting-information
