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Bolivar County Circuit Clerk Legacy

by

Circuit Clerk Judith Thompson

A few weeks ago, Bolivar County. Current Circuit Clerk Judith D. Thompson unveiled the Official Legacy Portraits of the Circuit Clerks of Bolivar County since 1976. They are as follows:

Mary A. Lindsey 1976 - 1987

Rosie S. Simmons 1988 - 2007

Marilyn L. Kelly 2008 - 2021

Judith D. Thompson 2022 - current

“When a circuit clerk knows who she is, what she stands for and that all of her intentions are forthright, it will not matter what anyone labels her. She walks taller, she acts with assurance, she speaks with certainty, she carries herself with dignity, she conveys honesty and she embraces all this with humility. Classify that attitude however you like. She knows what it really is: giving honor to God by being a reflection of His goodness. Never be ashamed to wear that label proudly.”

This is basically the Creed of Circuit Clerks. Being the “Heart of the Courthouse”, Circuit Clerks are oftentimes forgotten once they leave office because of the nature of the fast-paced office. However, I won't ever forget those whose shoulders I stand. Please join me in celebrating the Legacy of these awesome women and their contributions to Bolivar County!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL BOLIVAR BULLET ARTICLE. .

Election Role Players

by

Circuit Clerk Judith D. Thompson

Here in Mississippi, you will not find any two counties that conduct elections the same way. Out of all 82 counties, we all govern our election infrastructure differently. And Bolivar County is no different.  In Bolivar County, we not only perform our jobs according to the laws and statutes of Mississippi, but we also administer and conduct our elections according to a Justice Department Decree, designed only for Bolivar County. In the past and maybe even currently, there has been some confusion about circuit clerk roles in elections; especially when the clerk is on the ballot. When it comes to the election infrastructure, here in Bolivar County there are three role players: the Secretary of State, the Bolivar County Election Commissioners, and the Circuit Clerk. The MS Secretary of State is chief elections officer for Mississippi, Archivist for all election results for Mississippi and Liaison to all 82 counties of Mississippi. Election Commissioners hold the most important role in the election infrastructure. They are responsible for voter roll maintenance, purging/cleaning up the voter roll, redistricting and voter assignment, and conducting all aspects of general and special elections as well as primary elections (under contract agreement). The circuit clerk serves as the sole authority for registering voters, facilitating absentee voting, and executing local candidate qualifying receptor. The circuit clerk also serves as custodian of election records and voting equipment. This statutory balance of power maintains good election order in Bolivar County. While this may not work in other counties, this prevents the circuit clerk from any illegal practices during their election. Election commissioners, too, are elected officials and must govern their own elections with statutory practices. Anyone interested in election practices and/or the Mississippi Election Code should visit the Mississippi Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ms.gov.