Runoff turnout may be low

Low to moderate turnouts are expected in most of today's runoff elections, despite races that will determine the mayors of Sheffield and Tuscumbia as well as four council seats in Russellville.

Incumbent Billy Don Anderson and former mayor Ian Sanford square off for the Sheffield mayor's seat. The Aug. 26 city elections saw the two neck and neck, with Stanford leading by 12 votes in the three-man race.

In Tuscumbia, incumbent Bill Shoemaker faces retired police chief Wayne Burns. Shoemaker accumulated 46.6 percent of the vote to Burns' 34.4 percent in the four-man race Aug. 26.

There are also runoff elections in Red Bay, St. Florian, Anderson and Courtland.

"It's really been kind of quiet," said Red Bay City Clerk Linda Holcomb.

While about 1,300 people vote in the general election, Holcomb said she expects less than that number to vote in today's runoff.

"I probably expect about half of that, if you go by past history of elections in Red Bay," she said.

In Russellville, where there are four city council seats up for grabs, city clerk Kim Wright said she expects an average turnout.

"The mayor's race is not on the ballot," she said. "Some are inclined to think that will diminish the turnout. I think people in Russellville are very interested in their local government and the turnout will show the interest they have in who will lead their city."

Russellville has already elected a new mayor and could have five new council members, one of whom include Mayor John Brown, who ran for council rather than seek reelection as mayor.

In Sheffield, city clerk Clayton Kelly is optimistic about today's turnout. He said he has learned that 160 Sheffield residents registered to vote since the general election.

"It could be as good a turnout as we had in the general election," Kelly said, adding that the general election was slightly lower than normal.

"Typically, turnout for the runoff is not as good as the general election."

All Florence races were decided Aug. 26 without a runoff.

Muscle Shoals didn't have a mayor's race because nobody challenged incumbent David Bradford.

All council races in Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals were between two candidates, so no runoff was needed.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@TimesDaily.com.