School election ballots to be processed in Palestine

Ballots in this year’s school election will be processed on election night in Palestine.

Meeting Tuesday, members of the St. Francis County Election Commission decided to process and announce election results in Palestine since that is the only school district with contested races.

Commissioners also accepted a letter from Forrest City School District Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Hardrick requesting that only absentee and early votes be counted in the FCSD and that no polling site be opened on election day. There are no contested races in the FCSD.

"In your packets, there is a letter from Dr. (Tiffany) Hardrick that states that since there are no contested school board races, that they are requesting that we not open any polling sites on election day and that we only have early and absentee ballots,” said SFC Election Commission Chairman Chris Oswalt. “We do have to have early voting for Forrest City; however, the county clerk's office can handle it. With the clerk being out, I have not been able to have a conversation with her. If it is at all possible, I think this is something we need to approach the clerk's office about."

Commissioners agreed to only hold early and absentee voting for the FCSD.

Oswalt said the move to Palestine for processing the election results due to several contested races for board seats in that district would be beneficial for everyone.

"Sandra has been in contact with Cumberland Presbyterian Church and they said that they would give us access to their gym for the polling location," said Oswalt. "Sandra also spoke with Palestine City Hall and they said that they would let us use their meeting room to process the ballots and announce results.

“This way, the voters and election staff can just come right around the corner from the church. The people in Wheatley will not have to drive as far if they want to hear the results,” said Oswalt. “The bulk of the people who will want to hear the results will be there. I highly doubt anyone from Forrest City would want to be there for the results."

"Will we have enough room at Palestine City Hall?" asked commissioner Fredrick Freeman.

"We did discuss using the church's gym to process and announce the results as well; however, I don't want to wear out our welcome at the church," said Oswalt. "They aren't charging us to use the church either."

A polling location will also be open at the Wheatley Civic Center, but neither of the board representatives for that area are facing opposition.