Registration deadline for general election today

The Garland County clerk’s office was busy Monday processing voter registration applications ahead of today’s registration deadline for the Nov. 6 general election.

Those unsure of their registration status can click on the view-my-ballot tab on the Garland County Election Commission website, http://www. garlandcountyvote.org. The tab connects users to the secretary of state’s online registrant search, where status can be checked by entering a name and date of birth. Voters can also view the sample ballot for their voting precinct.

The election commission has said the county will have 65 ballot styles for next month’s election that includes six contested justice of the peace races on the Garland County Quorum Court and four city director races on the Hot Springs Board of Directors.

Voters who haven’t cast ballots in the last two November general elections have to renew their registration by today to be eligible to vote next month. Registration applications are available on the election commission website or at the county clerk’s office, 501 Ouachita Ave., Room 103. The clerk’s office closes at 5 p.m.

Nov. 2 is the deadline for voters new to the county to transfer registration from their previous county of residence.

The clerk’s office said 65,539 county residents were registered to vote as of Monday afternoon, including 2,240 registered Republicans, 1,774 registered Democrats, 10 registered Libertarians, six registered as Green Party members and 61,509 listed as optional.

The clerk’s office said it had received 291 absentee ballot applications as of Monday afternoon. According to the state’s election calendar, Oct. 30 is the deadline for county clerks to receive absentee ballot applications sent by mail, fax or email.

Thirteen days of early voting begins Oct. 22 at three locations: the election commission building, 649A Ouachita Ave.; Faith Fellowship Church, 3213 Highway 7 north; and Lake-Pointe Church, 1343 Albert Pike Road.

November will mark the fourth federal election in Garland County with unassigned Election Day voting, allowing voters to cast ballots at any of the county’s more than 20 voter center locations.