The Democratic candidates for two Cherokee County Commission seats will be decided in the upcoming runoff election on Tuesday, July 15.

Commission incumbent Elbert St. Clair faces Lanny Starr for the District 3 seat. The winner in that race will face Republican challenger Kevin Ford in the general election this fall.

St. Clair has pointed to progress the county has made during his tenure on the commission. Improvements have been made at the jail and courthouse security has been tightened. The commission also helped bring the Gadsden State Cherokee campus to the county.

Starr is a longtime community leader who has served as chairman of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce. He supports many community projects, including the Red Cross Souper Supper and the Spirit of Cherokee.

In District 1, Wade Sprouse and Buddy Barkley are vying for that post. Sprouse, who works for the Cherokee Electric Cooperative, said his experience with budgets at the co-op will help him perform the duties required of a commissioner.

Barkley, who has owned his own business, said he understands how to stretch a dollar. Barkley said his experience in the construction business will help him as a commissioner.

John A. Roberts, who is chairman of the county Democratic Party, urged voters to go to the polls nextTuesday.

“We have just celebrated our independence,” Roberts said. “So many have given so much to give us the right to vote.”

This is a chance for voters’ voices to be heard, he said.

“It would be a shame if only a few have a say about who we elect to county government,” Roberts said.

The two commission spots that are up for election are especially important because our county is poised to grow, Roberts said.

Gadsden State Cherokee will have classes in the fall and the college has hired an economic development director to recruit business and industry to the county.

Salter said voters should remember to bring some some form of picture ID or some ID such as a utility bill that will have your name and address on it or some other form of governmental identification such as birth certificate or social security card.

The exception is if you have no ID but two poll workers know you and both will vouch for you.

If you have a problem with your polling location, contact the Registrars Office at 256-927-5336. Any voter registration issues are to be directed to them.

“To the general public, please let me remind you that the only people who-by law- are to be in a polling place are the poll workers, poll watchers and the voters themselves,” Salter said. “A polling place is not a place for social gathering and lingering.”

Statewide races that have runoffs, according to the state Secretary of State’s Office’s Web site, are: State Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1: Beth Kellum and Lucie McLemore.

Public Service Commission president: Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh and Matt Machney.

Both of those races will determine the Republican Party’s nominee for those offices. There are no Democratic races on the July 15 runoff ballot, according to the Secretary of State Office’s Web site.

“Exercise your right as an American Citizen,” said Salter. “Go to the polls and vote.”