DELTA -- Nine candidates are seeking three seats on the Delta Board of Education Tuesday.

Incumbents James Bowers, Aaron Helderman Jr. and Wesley Kinder Jr. hope to retain their positions on the school board for additional three-year terms. Hoping to unseat them are Roger Seabaugh, Mike Kelley, Diane Starkey Horn, Phyllis Rhodes, Troy Smith and Jerri Lynn Menz.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Delta schools superintendent Tom Allen said he had no explanations for the number of candidates vying for positions this year. He said he expects a larger-than-normal voter turnout because of the statewide issues on the ballot. Name recognition also could become a factor in the contest due to the large field of candidates, he said.

"I guess there's a lot of interest in our schools this time," said Allen. "If you have good individuals that want to serve the community and the school, that's what we look for in board members."