Nineteen candidates have qualified for the upcoming Yazoo City elections, including sixteen within the Democratic party and three Independent candidates.
Within the upcoming municipal election, the posts with the most interest are the mayoral post and the Ward 1 alderman seat with six candidates each vying for the posts.
For mayor, Democratic candidates include Ward 2 Alderman Macklyn Austin, Joe Dearman, Ron Johnson and Sir Johnathan Rucker. Independent candidates include Calvin Thomas and Woodrow Walker.
Within Ward 1, incumbent Charlie Jenkins qualified as a Democrat to hold onto to his post. Other Democratic candidates include Deyoung Haymer, Mary Houston, Derek Jackson and Prentiss Young. Independent candidate was Carl Mitchell.
The Ward 2 post will be open with incumbent Austin placing his bid for mayor. Democratic candidates include Cherry Fox, Peter Gower and Pattie Taylor-Wright.
Within Ward 3, incumbent Jammie McCoy qualified as a Democrat to vie for his seat. The other Democratic candidate is Zelda Baker.
Within Ward, incumbent Elizabeth Thomas also qualified as a Democrat for her post. The other Democratic candidate is Joffre Washington.
The primary election will be held on Feb. 2, 2026 with a runoff election, if necessary, to follow on Feb. 23, 2026.
Saturday absentee voting for any potential runoffs will be held on Feb. 14, 2026 and Feb. 21, 2026.
The general election will be held on April 6, 2026.
In-person absentee voting for the general election starts on March 9, 2026, with Saturday absentee voting from 8 a.m. until noon on March 28, 2026, and April 4, 2026.
