Early voting underway

Cast your ballots for March 5 election at one of two polling sites

By RALPH HARDIN

ralphhardin@gmail.com

Crittenden County voters looking to avoid long lines on Election Day can join with voters across the state in casting their ballots early over the next two weeks, beginning today. In accordance with state law and under the guidance of the Of_ce of the Arkansas Secretary of State, the Crittenden County Election Commission has designated the following days and times for registered voters to cast their ballots in the party primaries as well as the nonpartisan judicial and school board vote:

■ Tuesday, Feb. 20 through Thursday, Feb. 22,

from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

■ Friday, Feb. 23, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

■ Saturday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

■ Monday, Feb. 26 through Friday, March 1, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

■ Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

■ Monday, March 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Voters take note: Arkansas is one of only 16 states that hold “open” primaries, meaning that any registered voter may vote in either party’s primary, regardless of of_cial party membership status or previous primary voting history.

Where to vote early?

Crittenden County will have two polling sites available for early voting:

■ Marion Junior High School, inside Fidelity Bank Arena, located at 801 Carter Drive, in Marion

■ Missouri Street Church of Christ, 1600 N. Missouri Street, in West Memphis.

There will be signage in place to direct voters where

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to go to cast their ballots. All rules and laws regarding campaigning near polling places will be enforced.

How to vote absentee?

To request an absentee ballot, or to see if you are qualified to vote absentee, contact the County Clerk’s office. You can:

■ ■ Inquire by mail to 100 Court St., Marion, AR 72364

■ ■ Request a ballot by phone at 870-739-4434, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

■ ■ Visit the County Clerk’s office at the courthouse during regular business hours.

■ ■ Request a ballot online on the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website.

On Election Day, polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Votes will be tallied at the Eugene Woods Civic Center in West Memphis.

Who’s on the ballot?

A complete list of candidates and races, as well as a full list of polling sites and other pertinent information can be found in the Notice of Election from the Crittenden County Board of Election Commissioners in any upcoming issue of the Times Online. You may also request a sample ballot from the Crittenden County Clerk’s Office.