<font color = blue>A.M. UPDATE:</font> Voting begins Friday in mayoral, council races

Fri, May 16 2008

— Muskogee voters will begin casting ballots Friday in the municipal runoff election that features the mayoral and two ward contests.
Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Monday at the Muskogee County Election Board, 400 W. Broadway. All precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The mayoral contest pits former Mayor Hershel McBride and Oklahoma University freshman John Tyler Hammons. Muskogee Realtor Shawn Raper is challenging Councilman Frank Borovetz Jr. for the Ward II seat. Jackie Luckey, a longtime local law enforcer, faces incumbent Troy Stoutermire for the Ward IV position.
City Council elections are held at-large, which allows registered voters to cast ballots for candidates in all ward contests without regard to the voter’s Muskogee address.
Muskogee City Council is made up of the mayor and eight city councilors, two from each of four districts. The districts reflect the city’s four geographical quadrants.