Election officials ready for voting to begin Monday

Registered voters have two weeks to cast ballots ahead of election day

Registered voters in St. Francis County and across the state may begin casting ballots Monday morning ahead of this year’s general election on Nov. 8.

Early voting begins at 8 a.m., Monday, at the courthouse and will continue through Friday, Nov. 4, with the site open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Early voting will also be held on Saturdays, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The final day for early voting will be Monday, Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Early voting will be held in the Quorum Court meeting room

St. Francis County Election Commission Chair Patti Long said commissioners have been working for the past several weeks to make sure everything is ready for voting to begin Monday morning.

“Sandra (Wright, election coordinator) is working on a few last-minute details and such, but other than that we feel like we’re pretty well ready to go,” said Long.

Several local races are on the ballot this year, including a sevenperson race for the Forrest City Mayor’s position. Incumbent Cedric Williams faces challenges from council members Louise Fields, Chris Oswalt and Jason Evansingston, along with Christy Gross, Evetta Whitby and Larry Bryant.

Three of the four council members who hold the Position 1 seats on the Forrest City City Council are also being challenged.

Ward 1 incumbent Rev. Ronald Williams faces opposition from Jim Bailey Jr. Three people are running for the Ward 2 seat, which is currently held by Evansingston. Cornescha Moore Wright, Melvin Tinsley and Carl Miller are candidates for that position. Ward 3 has incumbent Justin Reeves facing opposition from Nate Thomas.

Three of the six top elected positions at the county level will be on the ballot.

St. Francis County Sheriff and Collector Bobby May faces opposition from Deon Lee.

Ginadell Adams and Alvin Taggart are candidates to become the next St. Francis County Assessor to replace Craig Jones, who ran unopposed in May to become the county judge in January.

In the county treasurer’s race, incumbent Tammy Talley faces opposition from Lashunda Winfrey.

There are three Justice of the Peace races on the ballot.

In JP District 2, incumbent Jim Long faces opposition from Ray Oswalt, and in JP District 8, incumbent Chris Ray is being challenged by Summer Hess for that position.

JP District 7 will have a new justice in January. Nathaniel Murray and Timothy McMahon are vying for the position to replace Regan Hill, who did not file for reelection.

(Continued from Page 1) Two State Senate races and two State Representative races are also on the SFC ballot.

Terry Fuller and Reginald Murdock are candidates for Senate District 9 position. In Senate District 10, incumbent Ronald Caldwell faces opposition from Cliff Hart.

Incumbent Steve Hollowell faces opposition from two candidates, Christopher Joseph Reed and Brian E. Ramsey, for the State Rep. District 37 seat.

Dexter Miller and Mark McElroy are candidate in the State Representative District 62 race.

Voters will also choose from three candidates for the U.S. Senate Race in which incumbent John Boozman faces opposition from Natalie James and Kenneth Cates.

Incumbent Rick Crawford is opposed in his reelection bid for the U.S. Congress District 1 seat by Monte Hodges.

Statewide races on the ballot are for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Auditor, Commissioner of State Lands, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer and State Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 2.

Voters will also decide on four constitutional amendments on this year’s ballot.

On election day, Nov. 8, polls throughout the county will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the election results being announced that night at the courthouse.