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Early Voting starts today

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Early Voting starts today

Crittenden County residents can cast ballots at the courthouse ahead of May 22 election

ralphhardin@gmail.com Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, May 22, to cast their ballots in a number of state, county and local races, but for those looking to beat the Election Day crowds, there will be a full calendar of Early Voting ahead of the vote.

Early Voting begins today and will run through Monday, May 21. Voters can cast their ballots at the County Courthouse weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Early voting will end at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 21, the day before the election).

Absentee voting is also available for those who are registered in Crittenden County but live elsewhere — college students or military personnel, for example. A designated bearer may pick up and turn in a maximum of two absentee ballots.

A number of races will be decided in the May 22 elections. Local Republicans will have the opportunity to decide between incumbent Governor Asa Hutchinson and challenger for the GOP nomination Jan Morgan.

The winner in that race will face the winner of the Democratic primary in November. The gubernatorial candidates for the Democrats are Jared K. Henderson and Leticia Sanders.

Democratic voters in Arkansas Senate District 24 will also have to choose between an incumbent and a contender. State Senator Keith Ingram is being challenged for the nomination by Turrell Mayor Dorothy Cooper. The winner of the primary will ostensibly win the seat, as no other major party candidates have filed to run in November.

A little closer to home, two Democrats are seeking the Crittenden County Treasurer’s Office. Matt Thompson and Lavonda Taylor are both vying for votes in that race. In Quorum Court JP District 7, incumbent Justice Ronnie Marconi is facing Kyle Watkins in a primary showdown. And in JP District 12, Cynthia Barnes Lucas and Sherry Holliman are the candidates for an open seat, as Justice Hubert Bass is not seeking re-election.

Arkansas will also be holding a Republican Primary for Secretary of State. The nomination will come down to State Representative Trevor Down and Commissioner of State Lands John Thurston. Current Secretary of State Mark Martin is term-limited and can not seek reelection.

In the non-partisan judicial elections, the only contested race for local voters to weigh in on is the State Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 3 seat, currently held by Justice Courtney Goodson, who is facing a pair of challengers, Judge Kenneth Hixson and David Sterling. West Memphis and Marion are both also holding school board elections in May, a shift from holding separate school board elections in September mandated by a new law passed by the Arkansas State Legislature. There are no contested races, but voters will have the opportunity to vote for or against continuing the school millage in West Memphis (29 mills) and Marion (40.7 mills).

All other county officers are running unopposed or will not be facing opposing candidates until the November elections, where a number of municipal races will also be decided. Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, May 22, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The following locations will be polling sites on Election Day: 7th Street Church of Christ, Anthonyville City Hall, Bonds Marine, Calvary Baptist Church, Civic Center, County Office Building, Crawfordsville Water Department, Earle City Hall, Gilmore City Hall, Heafer Community Center, Horseshoe Lake City Hall, Immanuel Baptist Church, Jennette City Hall, Jericho City Hall, Marion Church of God, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, Pilgram Rest Baptist Church, W.R. Golden Community Center, Edmondson 1st Baptist Church, West Memphis First Baptist Church, West Memphis High School, and Wonder City Boys Club.

By Ralph Hardin

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