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With the 2020 Presidential Election just three days away, billboards are lighting up and newspaper, radio and television advertisements are consuming huge amount of space and time.

But, around Pike County, knuckles continue to knock on doors as incumbent Chad Copeland, Republican, and newcomer to politics Michael Goodson, Democratic candidate, vie for the District 4 seat on the Pike County Commission.

Both Copeland and Goodson have taken their platforms to the voters and will continue to knock on doors until Tuesday, November when voters all across the nation will go to the polls to cast their votes in the 2020 Presidential Election that is being called, “The Most Important Election. Ever.”

However, Copeland and Goodson also place great importance on the local county commission race.

Copeland is campaigning on what has been accomplished during his four-year term of service representing District 4. Goodson is seeking an opportunity to be the voice of the expressed needs and concerns of the people.

Copeland said when he took office four years ago, Pike County roads were on a paving cycle that eclipsed 100 years.

“Currently, our roads are on a 36-year paving cycle and 93 miles of roads have been paved,” Copeland said. “The county’s financial affairs have been restructured and the county has been able to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars in old debt.”

When Copeland took office, there was only $72,000 unallocated for emergencies or unexpected needs. The 2020-21 budget has $500,000 unallocated in the same line item.

Copeland said the commission’s focus on economic development has resulted in the addition of new industries including Rex Lumber that created new jobs and good jobs and tax revenue.

Goodson, an employee of Thompson Gas, a bus driver for Pike County Schools and farmer, has the strong work ethic characteristic of rural Pike Countians.   

“I don’t have a political record to stand on, only what I stand for,” Goodson said. “I am against abortion. I support the right to bear arms. I support law enforcement and all first responders.

“I know and understand farm life and support our farmers and farming businesses as well as our business and industrial communities. I believe in the worth of every person. I promise I will work for the good of  all District 4 and for all the people of Pike County. That is a promise I can keep.”

Also on the ballot for the Tuesday’s election will be the presidential race between President Donald Trump, Republican, and Joe Biden, the Democratic challenger. With absentee voting in the general election already reaching record numbers in Pike County and the state, Probate Judge Michael Bunn said earlier this week he expects higher than average turnout for Tuesday’s vote.

“We’re anticipating a higher voter turnout than the 2016 general election,” Bunn said on Tuesday. “Based on other counties and our absentee ballot turnout so far, it’s going to be a high turnout.”

The county is debuting an electronic poll book system, which will be deployed in tandem with the traditional paper poll books for this election. . Voters will present their IDs to poll workers, sign the paper poll books and then scan their ID into the new tablets. Those tablets can instantly confirm the voter’s registration and, if necessary, redirect the voter to the proper polling place.

Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7 p.m.