4th incumbent files for spot on election commission

Published 11:28 am Thursday, May 31, 2012

A fourth incumbent on the Warren County Election Commission has filed papers to run this year, days before the Monday deadline for filing.

Elva Smith-Tolliver, 55, completed a petition Wednesday with the Chancery Clerk’s Office to represent District 3 on the five-member panel. Tolliver was appointed by county supervisors in 2009 after the district went without a candidate in the 2008 elections. Members of the commission are elected every four years during the presidential election cycle.

The commission enrolls voters, assigns polling places, certifies non-party candidates, conducts all general and special elections and certifies results to the Secretary of State’s Office.

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Incumbents Retha Summers of District 2, John Rundell of District 4 and Lonnie Wooley of District 5 seek new terms on the commission. The lone challenger to make the race is Sara Carlson Dionne in District 4.

A fifth incumbent, Petesy Smith of District 1, said she will run for a second term and expects to file a petition today. Candidates for the job must collect signatures from at least 50 residents in the district to qualify by close of business Monday.

Four district-level races will appear on the Nov. 6 general ballot. Others include the District 2 seat on the Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees, held now by Zelmarine Murphy, and a position on the state Court of Appeals. For school board, the period begins Aug. 8 and ends Sept. 7.

Incumbent appellate judge Ermea J. Russell has drawn one challenger, Vicksburg attorney Ceola James. The judgeship covers appellate District 2, Place 2. Qualifying ended May 11.