Voters cautioned to be aware of new Senate districts when voting

July 31, 2025 – When Tuesday, Aug. 5 comes for the Republican and Democratic special Senate primary elections, will you be voting? Do you know where to vote? Will you even need to vote?

Those will be questions that need to be answered and it’s those questions that have led to confusion among voters ahead of Election Day. That’s because new Senate districts have been drawn that may have placed you in a different Senate district.  

DeSoto County Circuit Clerk Dale Thompson Thursday reminded voters of the importance of checking their voter registration cards carefully—because not everyone will need to be casting a primary ballot on Aug. 5.  

With only three races on the special election primary ballot, Thompson said turnout has been very light, with just over 450 absentee ballots cast as of Thursday.

“Being a special election, we don’t have a whole lot to gauge turnout by,” Thompson said, “But still, you would think more would come out.”

The primary features races only in specific districts, including Senate District 1, where Republican voters will choose between Michael McLendon and Jon Stevenson. That is likely the one race most all of us have heard talked about during this campaign period.  

Some voters may mistakenly show up at the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 5 expecting to vote in that race—only to find out they live in a different district.

“We’ve had several come in wanting to vote for Stevenson or McLendon and they get upset when we tell them they’re not in District 1,” Thompson said. “That’s why it’s very important to look at the new voter registration cards we mailed out. They tell you what district you vote in.”

Thompson said the clerk’s office has worked to get the word out via the county website and social media, and they’re encouraging anyone with questions about their district to call the office.

“If you can’t tell from your card, call us,” she said. “We’ll be happy to tell you what district you’re in.”

She urged voters not to let confusion or lack of awareness keep them from exercising a fundamental civic right.

“Just get out and vote,” Thompson said. “It’s one privilege that you have. It’s free, and it is important—regardless of whether you think your vote counts.”

But also look to see if there is even an election for your district on Tuesday, because without opposition, your candidate may have already advanced to the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election.  

Polls for the special election primary will be open Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can check their registration and district information by contacting the DeSoto County Circuit Clerk’s office or visiting the county website.

DeSoto County: Special Senate Election Information

There are four Senate districts in DeSoto County now.  Your Senate district is listed on your voter registration card on the bottom left corner or you can visit: https://bit.ly/DesotoMSvoting.  

Senate districts are based on your address.

Senate District 1

Republican Primary:

• Michael McLendon (incumbent)
•  Jon Stevenson

Democratic candidate Chris Hanna is unopposed, so there is NO PRIMARY. Hanna moves directly to the Nov. 4 ballot.

Senate District 2

Democratic Primary

• Theresa Gillespie Isom
• Robert J. Walker

Republican candidate Charlie Hoots is unopposed, so there is NO PRIMARY. Hoots moves directly to the Nov. 4 ballot.

Senate District 11

Democratic Primary

• Abe Hudson, Jr.
• Reginald Jackson (incumbent)

Republican candidate Kendall Prewitt is unopposed, so there is NO PRIMARY. Prewitt moves directly to the Nov. 4 ballot.

Senate District 19

NO PRIMARY

Candidates move directly to Nov. 4 ballot

• Republican Candidate: Kevin Blackwell (incumbent)
• Democratic Candidate: Dianne Dodson Black