Polls open today across the state for early voting

Voters required to show ID, specify which ballot to vote

The early-voting polling site opened this morning at the St. Francis County Courthouse to allow registered voters to begin casting ballots ahead of the May 24 primary.

“Everything went off without a hitch,” said SFC Election Commission Chairman Chris Oswalt.

Oswalt said four voting machines are set up at the Quorum Court’s meeting room at the courthouse for voters who want to cast their ballots before election day.

Oswalt noted the popularity of early voting, saying about 20% of the votes cast in most local elections are cast early.

“Over the years, more and more people have taken advantage of early voting,” said Oswalt. “It’s a fail-safe, for lack of a better word, for many to go ahead and get it done since no one knows what election day could hold.”

The early-voting site will be open Monday through Friday this week and next, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays, May 14 and 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The early voting site will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Monday, May 23.

According to Oswalt, voters will be required to present photo identification and will be asked to specify if they want to vote a Democratic, Republican or nonpartisan judicial ballot.

“Our workers will ask for an ID,” said Oswalt. “A driver’s license or any state or federallyissued ID will work.”

Locally, contested countywide races will only be on the Democratic ballot. One at-large Forrest City School Board seat will be on all Forrest City ballots.

Deon Lee and William Sparkmon are running as Democrats to earn the party’s nomination for sheriff and collector. The winner will face SFC Sheriff and Collector Bobby May in the November election.

SFC Deputy Circuit Clerk Alan Smith and Remona Dawson are running as Democrats to replace long-time circuit clerk Bette Green, who is retiring. There is no Republican candidate in this race, so this position will be decided on May 24.

There is a three-way contest on the Democratic ballot for a Justice of the Peace District 10 seat on the Quorum Court, which represents a western portion of Forrest City. Victor Stegall, Kendall Owens and Arthor Witherspoon are vying for the seat to replace Leodis Williams, who is not seeking reelection.

The FCSB voted last fall to elect members representing five zones and two at-large positions.

In the FC School Board race, Taylor Metcalf and Roy Hamilton are vying for the At-Large Pos. 2 seat.

“Everyone in the district can vote on this race whether they vote Democrat, Republican or non-partisan,” said Oswalt.

Candidates are unopposed in Zones 1, 2, 3 and 5. No one filed for the Zone 4 seat, currently held by Joey Astin. Incumbent Annie Norman filed unopposed for the At-Large Pos. 1 seat.

The only Republican race on the primary ballot will be in Wheatley where two Democrats and two Republicans are vying for a ballot position in the November election.

The State Rep. District 62 race has Kellee Mitchell Farris and Dexter R. Miller seeking the Democratic nomination. State Rep. David Tollett and Rep. Mark McElroy are the Republican candidates for the seat. The party winners will face off in November’s general election.

Oswalt also said it is not too late for registered voters to vote absentee.

“Absentee ballots can be requested at the county clerk’s office to be mailed or the voter can name a designated bearer of the ballot. But, a person can only bear two ballots,” said Oswalt.

Polls across the county will be open on election day, May 24, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The results will be counted and announced at the courthouse after the polls close.