UPDATE: 14 of 14 precincts reporting + Absentee ballots

Percy Bland maintains his lead in the Democratic mayoral primary with 2,673 votes of 4,052 votes cast. The total surpasses the 50% of the vote plus one vote margin needed to avoid a runoff election. Jimmie Smith remains in second place with 822, while Ty Bell Lindsey received 187 votes and Rita Jack received 295 votes.

In Ward 3, a runoff election between Tracey Tims and Joe Norwood Jr. looks likely with the Democratic candidates receiving 418 and 376 votes respectively. Sandra Faye Moore came in third with 111 vote, followed by LeQuincy Kimbrough with 69 and Joy Finley with 12 votes.

Ward 4 Councilwoman Romande Walker looks likely to win reelection for a second term with 448 votes against former Councilwoman Kim Houston’s 325 votes. No Republican or Independent candidates qualified for the race.

In the Democratic primary for Ward 5, Brandon Rue leads the field with 408 of 723 votes cast. Jatara Smith is in second with 191 votes and Shirley Bolden Goodwin in third with 81 votes.

On the Ward 5 Republican ballot, Dustin Hill leads with 261 votes to Chad Acton’s 217.

In Ward 1, Republican candidate Elliot Brewer is on top with 532 votes against Elton Reed’s 286.

Absentee ballots postmarked by today can be counted up to five days after the election, so exact totals may be different once results are officially certified.

________________________________

UPDATE: 11 of 14 precincts reporting

Percy Bland continues to lead the Democratic candidates with 2,102 of 3,167 votes cast. Jimmie Smith remains in second with 637 votes.

In Ward 3, Tracey Tims and Joe Norwood Jr. lead the pack on the Democratic ticket with 396 and 350 votes respectively. Sandra Faye Moore is in third with 105 votes.

In Ward 4, Romande Walker is leading against Kim Houston 402 to 300 with just absentee ballots left to be counted.

In the Democratic primary for Ward 5, Brandon Rue leads with 187 votes of 327 votes cast. Jatara Smith is in second with 83 votes.

In the Republican primary for Ward 5, Chad Acton leads with 25 votes to Dustin Hill’s 18.

Elliot Brewer retains his lead in the Republican primary for Ward 1 with 280 votes to Elton Reed’s 99 votes.

________________________________

Polls have closed for the 2025 Meridian municipal primary elections, and elections officials are tabulating votes as precincts arrive at City Hall.

With eight of 14 precincts reporting, former Mayor Percy Bland is leading in the Democratic primary race for mayor with 1,529 of 2,289 votes counted. Mayor Jimmie Smith is in second place with 435 votes.

In the Democratic primary for Ward 3, Tracey Tims and incumbent Councilman Joe Norwood Jr. are neck and neck with 288 and 285 votes respectively. Sandra Faye Moore follows in third place with 65 votes.

In Ward 4, incumbent Councilwoman Romande Walker leads former Councilwoman Kim Houston 402 votes to 300 in the Democratic primary. No Republican candidates qualified for the race.

In the Republican Primary for Ward 1, Elliot Brewer leads with 280 votes to Elton Reed’s 99 votes.

This story will be updated as more precinct reports become available.