County clerks report increase in new voters

Tuesday last day to register

Election season must be near because the phones seem to be constantly ringing in the County Clerk’s offices.

Prospective voters in Arkansas have until

Tuesday to register if they want to take part in the Nov.

6 general election.

“People are calling to see when the deadline is, when things have to be postmarked. Where do they go to register,” Dana Caler, Benton County elections administrator, said Friday.

The Clerk’s Office has seen a steady stream of residents registering to vote. More than 1,600 new voters registered this past month, Caler said. There were 157,723 registered voters in Benton County as of Friday, she said.

Residents need a valid form of identification and a utility bill or some other paperwork showing their home address to register to vote.

Activity at the Washington County Clerk’s Office has mirrored Benton County.

“A lot of questions about when the deadline is and address changes,” Marlena Young, deputy clerk, said Friday.

Washington County had 131,805 registered voters as of Friday, with 1,061 new voters registered in the last month, Young said.

The Clerk’s Office in Bentonville will stay open until 7 p.m. Tuesday to accommodate late-arriving residents. The Washington County Clerk’s Office did not have

any plans to stay open late Tuesday as of Friday morning.

Officials expect turnout to be low even with a combined registered voter base of more than 289,00o in both counties.

Commissioner Russ Anzalone with the Benton County Election Commission said he would be happy with a turnout of 45 percent. Caler said she expects a turnout between 45 and 50 percent in Benton County because the election “is not a presidential.”

“I think 50 percent would be wonderful, but I don’t think we will get there,” said Jon Moran, vice president of government affairs with the Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce. “Midterms generally have a low turnout.”

Jennifer Price, Washington County election coordinator, said she expects a voter turnout between 47 and 50 percent. The county had a 47 percent turnout for the 2014 midterm election.

“We have prepared for this election like we do any other,” Price said Friday. “We always prepare for a large turnout. If you prepare for a small turnout, then you are setting yourself up for heartache.”

Area ballots are stacked with local and statewide races and five statewide ballot issues.

The Rogers chamber will host a forum for state House of Representatives and state Senate candidates at 6 p.m. Thursday and a Rogers City Council forum at 6 p.m. Oct. 18. Both events will be at City Hall, Moran said. He will facilitate a forum for Bentonville mayor candidates at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Bentonville Public Library.

The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce will hold forums for Washington County Quorum Court District 7, circuit clerk and state Senate District 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the city library. Another forum at the library will be 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17. It will involve the state House District 87 and county judge races, according to a chamber news release.

“People still want to hear from and meet the candidates,” Moran said. “I think more people will come out as we get closer to the election.”

Anzalone expects all to run smoothly when early voting starts Oct. 22.

“I don’t anticipate any problems at any early voting site or at the vote centers” on election day, he said. “We’ve used the new equipment for the last few elections.”

Any runoff elections will be held Dec. 4.

“We always prepare for a large turnout. If you prepare for a small turnout, then you are setting yourself up for heartache.” — Jennifer Price, Washington County election coordinator