RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Early voting gets underway Monday, Oct. 19, in Pope County, giving residents two weeks to cast their ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
From local city council races to governor and U.S. Senate, voters will have plenty of decisions to make this year. There are also four statewide ballot issues to consider.
Pope County Clerk Pam Ennis said the county had 35,357 registered voters as of Friday, Oct. 16, with early voting set to begin Monday morning at the Pope County Election Commission headquarters in Russellville.
For those hoping to avoid the Election Day crowds, there are several opportunities to vote early, including two Saturdays.
All early voting in Pope County will take place at the Pope County Election Commission headquarters, located at 1509 East Main Street, Suite 7, in Russellville.
Early voting hours are:
There will be no voting on Sundays.
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Pope County uses a vote center system, which makes Election Day a little more convenient. Rather than being assigned to a specific polling place, registered voters can cast their ballots at any of the county’s seven vote centers, regardless of where they live in Pope County.
Those locations are:
Arkansas voters will decide several statewide and federal races this November, including whether Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will serve a second term. Sanders faces Democrat Fred Love and Libertarian Colt Shelby.
Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton is seeking a third term, with Democrat Hallie Shoffner and Libertarian Jeff Wadlin challenging him.
In Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman faces Democrat James “Rus” Russell III.
Other statewide races include lieutenant governor, secretary of state and commissioner of state lands. Depending on where they live, voters will also see state legislative, county and municipal races on their ballots.
Closer to home, Pottsville has several contested municipal races, including an open mayor’s seat.
Pamela DuVall Scarber and Robert Alexander Jr. are running to replace Mayor Dusty Gray, who is not seeking re-election.
Pottsville City Clerk-Treasurer Holly Morton Fowler faces challenger Mariah Jeffcoat.
Three candidates — Dr. Sheila Hunt, Larry Schingleur Sr. and Daniel Reddell — are seeking the Ward 2, Position 1 council seat. Incumbent Steve Williamson also faces John Chenowith for Ward 3, Position 1.
In Russellville, incumbent City Council member Emily Young is being challenged by Allan R. George for the Ward 2, Position 1 seat. The city’s other municipal candidates are unopposed.
Elsewhere in the River Valley, Dardanelle Mayor Jimmy Witt faces challenger Kurt Spears, while Clarksville voters will choose from four candidates in their mayoral race.
Along with choosing candidates, Arkansas voters will be asked to weigh in on four statewide ballot issues.
Ennis encourages voters to take some time before heading to the polls to familiarize themselves with the proposals.
All four measures were referred to voters by the Arkansas Legislature. Three involve proposed constitutional amendments, while the fourth deals with bonds for water-related projects.
Issue 1 — Citizens Only Voting Amendment
This proposal would amend the Arkansas Constitution to explicitly state that only U.S. citizens who meet the state’s voting qualifications may participate in Arkansas elections. Citizenship is already required under state and federal law.
Issue 2 — Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment
This measure would expand constitutional language protecting the right to keep and bear arms for lawful purposes, including hunting and recreation. It would also specifically include ammunition, firearm components and accessories.
Issue 3 — Economic Development Amendment
This proposal would allow the Arkansas General Assembly to create economic development districts and establish programs, loans and grants using public money to support economic development projects.
Issue 4 — Water Project Bonds
This measure would authorize the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue up to $500 million in general obligation bonds for water infrastructure, waste disposal, pollution control, flood management, irrigation and related projects.
For voters who want to learn more before making their decisions, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has published a nonpartisan voter guide explaining each proposal, including arguments for and against the measures.
The guide is available through UA Cooperative Extension.
One of the easiest ways to prepare for voting is to look at your sample ballot ahead of time.
Ennis recommends visiting VoterView.org, where Arkansas voters can check their registration status and see exactly which races and issues will appear on their ballots.
That’s especially helpful because not everyone in Pope County will have the same ballot. The candidates and local races depend on where a voter lives.
The deadline to register as a new voter for the November election was Oct. 5. However, Ennis said those already registered can still update certain information, including their address.
Voters who have moved from one Arkansas county to another must transfer their registration to the new county no later than four days before Election Day, according to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office.
Arkansas also requires voters to show an acceptable photo ID when voting in person.
That can include an Arkansas driver’s license, state-issued identification card, U.S. passport or another qualifying government-issued photo ID. Voters who don’t have acceptable identification may still be able to cast a provisional ballot.
Voters who qualify to vote absentee should contact the Pope County Clerk’s Office at 100 West Main Street in Russellville.
There are several deadlines to keep in mind.
Applications submitted by mail or electronically must be received at least seven days before the election, making Tuesday, Oct. 27, the deadline.
The deadline to apply in person is Friday, Oct. 30.
Completed absentee ballots returned in person or by a designated bearer must reach the clerk’s office by the close of business Oct. 30. Ballots returned by mail must arrive by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Anyone with questions about voter registration, address changes or absentee voting can contact the Pope County Clerk’s Office at 479-968-6064.
For questions about vote centers or voting procedures, the Pope County Election Commission can be reached at 479-280-1905.
