Voters in Beat 5 of Carroll County – which includes only residents of East Vaiden and West Vaiden – will go to the polls on November 26 for a run-off election in the Beat 5 Election Commissioners’ race. Voters will decide between Jackie L. McKinney and Lesa Clark-Fetcher.
In a close race, McKinney had 229 votes and garnered 39.69 percent of the vote, Clark-Fletcher had 182 votes and garnered 31.54 percent of the vote, and Stanton Smith received 163 votes and garnered 28.25 percent of the vote.
The two women have something in common: They both want to help the residents of east and west Vaiden understand the voting process, register to vote, and run fair and balanced elections.
McKinney is a lifelong resident of Vaiden. She graduated from Vaiden High School and enlisted in the military. After completing 10 years in the service, she returned and enrolled in Jackson State University, and then transferred to the University of Memphis. She graduated in 1996 and returned to Vaiden in 1997. McKinney obtained her teaching license in 2002, taught in Louisiana from 2007 through 2011, and returned back to Vaiden in 2011.
She’s a single mother of a son and a grandmother who said the perception that people have of her is wrong. A vocal resident, she’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right and fair.
“I’m not a racist, I want people to know that. I just want better for the people of Carroll County,” she said, adding she’s not afraid to address the elephant in the room.
“I want everyone to be treated equally, and I want Carroll County to be a better place. I’m running because I want people to see what happens politically when you’re not a part of the party. I’m someone that will stand up and fight, even if I have to stand alone.”
Clark-Fletcher is a native of Greenwood. She graduated from Greenwood High School and Delta State University. She said she’s lived in different places before residing in Vaiden.
“I saw the opening and thought it would be an interesting job. I’ve worked elections before, I’ve worked on the absentee and affidavit ballots during an election, and I thought it would be interesting,” she said, adding she saw a need to use her position to help people. “Sometimes, they come to the polls, and they’re not registered and they don’t understand why they’re not in the poll books. I want to help people understand that. I promise to run a fair and balanced election and to serve the people of Beat 5.”
