Whatâs going on with Cantonâs Democratic Party? City leaders have varying opinions. Sign out front of Canton City Hall. (Source: WLBT) By Anthony Warren | April 27, 2021 at 4:37 PM CDT - Updated April 27 at 5:46 PM
CANTON, Miss. (WLBT) - For Marion Freeman, itâs like Jim Crow all over again.
The 74-year-old member of Cantonâs Democratic Executive Committee remembers when Black people couldnât vote ⦠when African Americans were forced to endure near-impossible litmus tests for the chance to cast a ballot.
âThey brought in a selected group of Black people to the courthouse to count jelly beans in a jar,â he said, sitting at a corner table at Merri Pennieâs Tea Room on the Square.
Secretary of State questions legitimacy of Cantonâs Democratic executive committee Canton, Mississippi (Source: WLBT) By Anthony Warren | April 21, 2021 at 12:37 PM CDT - Updated April 21 at 5:34 PM
CANTON, Miss. (WLBT) - The whole question of who serves on Cantonâs Democratic Executive Committee is again at the forefront.
This time, that question is being raised by Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson.
In an April 16 letter to committee member Natwassie Truly, Watson said the individuals who signed off on the recapitulation report from the cityâs Democratic primaries were not duly elected members of that committee.
Watson goes on to say that his office could not accept the report showing the results of the Democratic primary until a majority of commission members sign off on them.
Madison Co. officials wary about taking over Canton elections Canton Mayor William Truly, Jr. (Source: WLBT) By Anthony Warren | March 1, 2021 at 11:56 AM CST - Updated March 1 at 12:08 PM
MADISON COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) - Madison County officials are seeking an attorney general’s opinion before taking over Canton’s 2021 municipal elections.
The city petitioned the county to take over the elections in February, in part, citing the federal fraud charges were brought against city officials following the 2017 races.
On Monday, the board directed board attorney Mike Espy to seek an opinion from the state attorney general to determine if the county could hire a private firm to run the elections, with some board members saying they want to wash their hands of it.
Disqualified candidates question legitimacy of Cantonâs Democratic executive committee Canton Mayor William Truly, Jr. (Source: WLBT) By Anthony Warren | February 26, 2021 at 6:30 PM CST - Updated February 28 at 7:41 PM
CANTON, Miss. (WLBT) - Absentee voting in municipal elections across the Magnolia State is expected to begin Monday.
However, that wonât happen in the City of Canton because the Democratic primary ballot has yet to be finalized.
Five candidates have been disqualified by the Canton Municipal Democratic Executive Committee to run in the cityâs 2021 Democratic primary and three of those candidates are challenging that decision in Madison County Circuit Court.
Sean B.T. Williams
Leslie A. WoodGibbons and Wood, both Democrats, previously ran for circuit judge in the November general election but lost to Republicans Stephen Stobbs and Amy Maher.
Prior to his run for circuit judge, Gibbons served as Madison County State’s Attorney for two terms. During his tenure as state s attorney, Gibbons initiated an opioid claim on behalf of Madison County residents and secured sentences for those convicted of violent crimes. He also faced criticism for initiating a task force that carried out several raids at the County Administration Building. No charges were filed as a result of those raids.