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Fort Smith
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Primary Election to Determine Many Races

Think it won’t hurt if you set out the primary race, and wait until November’s General Election to vote? Think again! The Tuesday, March 3 election will determine many vital races.

Non-partisan judicial races are crucial. For example, one judge has the ability to rule on issues from legislators across the state. The importance of picking the right candidate for judge is critical in ensuring that current and future legislation is upheld or struck, depending on the constitutionality of the law.

The preferential primary will determine who takes the bench. Candidates include:
State Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 4
Barbara Womack Webb
Judge Morgan “Chip” Welch
Court of Appeals Associate Judge District 04, Position 02
Emily White
Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Potter Barrett

Two state representative races will also be determined in the primary:
State Representative District 21
(I) Representative Marcus Richmond
Jim Reynolds
State Representative District 74
(I) Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Curtis J. Varnell
Shawn Bates

Scott County Election Commissioner Steve Holland stated, “with only two more days of early voting left I decided to check with the Scott County Clerk’s Office this morning to get an idea as to what kind of voter participation they were seeing. As of noon today (Friday) 253 voters had cast early ballots. That compares to roughly 1,000 early votes that had been cast prior to the 2018 General Election. The obvious conclusion to be drawn here is that most voters do not seem to view Preferential Primary Elections as important as the General Election.” Holland went on to add that “whether it stems from a lack of understanding of the purpose and process of primary elections or simply a disinterest in candidates or issues viewed as unimportant to them personally, a very large percentage of voters do not participate in the Preferential Primary.  To ignore the primary is not only a disservice to the candidates whom have devoted a great deal of time (and in many cases personal finances) but in essence that voter is forfeiting his or her right to have a say in who will be placed on the ballot in the General Election in November. Non-partisan judicial races are a good example of contests that typically generate very little interest on the local level yet can ultimately have a far reaching impact on controversial legal issues.”

The candidates have done their part, now it is up to you, the voter, to do yours. You still have the rest of today, tomorrow, and Monday to vote early. Tuesday is election day, and the last day to cast your ballot.

Early voting in Sebastian County continues Saturday, February 29 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. until Monday, March 2 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Locations for early voting:

Sebastian County Courthouse
Room G8

35 South 6th Street
Fort Smith, AR
Greenwood City Hall
Council Room

30 Bell Road
Greenwood, AR
Elm Grove Community Center
1901 N. Greenwood Avenue
Fort Smith, AR
Rye Hill Baptist Church
11512 Old Hwy 71
Fort Smith, AR
Creekmore Community Center
3301 S. “M” Street
Fort Smith, AR
Ben Geren Park Tornado Shelter
7200 Zero Street
Fort Smith, AR

Early voting in Scott County continues Saturday, February 29 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. until Monday, March 2 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Locations for early voting:
Scott County Courthouse in the County and Circuit Clerk’s Office, 190 West First Street, Waldron Arkansas.

Tuesday, March 3 is election day. All eligible voters in Sebastian County will be able to cast their vote at any Vote Center listed below. Voting Centers will be open from 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on election day

LocationAddress
Grand Avenue Baptist Church 3900 Grand Ave., FSM 
American Legion 4901 Midland Blvd, FSM 
St. Luke Lutheran Church 5401 Free Ferry Rd, FSM 
Elm Grove Community Center, 1901 N. Greenwood Ave, FSM 
Creekmore Park Rec Bldg 3301 South “M” St., FSM 
St. Bartholomew Episcopal 2701 Old Greenwood Rd., FSM 
St. John Episcopal Church 215 North 6th St., FSM 
Nelson-Hall Beckman Center 2100 North 31st St., FSM 
Windsor Library 4701 Windsor Dr., FSM 
Ramsey JH Tornado Shelter 3201 Jenny Lind Rd., FSM 
Orr Elem School Tornado Shelter 3609 Phoenix Ave., FSM 
Southside Senior Center 2700 Cavanaugh Rd., FSM  
Forefront Church
(formerly Fianna Baptist)
10300 Jenny Lind, FSM 
East Side Baptist Church 2710 Massard Rd., FSM 
Cliff Terrace Assembly of God 3301 S. 66th St., FSM 
Ben Geren Park Tornado Shelter 7200 Zero St., FSM 
Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church 1301 Frank St, Barling, 
Rye Hill Baptist 11512 Old Hwy 71 South, FSM 
Grace Lutheran Church Highway 71 South, Greenwood 
Union Baptist Church 8300 N. Hwy 252, Lavaca 
Lavaca First Baptist Church 100 W Main St, Lavaca 
Cornerstone Freewill Baptist 29201 AR-22, Charleston
Greenwood City Hall 30 Bell Road Greenwood 
Hackett Fire Dept. 205 Hwy 10 SW, Hackett 
Huntington City Hall 223 E. Broadway, Huntington 
Hartford Fire Center 201 S. Broadway, Hartford 
Midland City Hall 204 N. 3rd St., Midland 
Bonanza Assembly of God 701 McConnell St., Bonanza 
First Southern Baptist Central City 12 W. Central Ave., Central City 
Witcherville Community Bldg 18 Buckner Way, Huntington  
Milltown-Washburn Fire Dept 6573 E. Hwy 252, Greenwood 
Mansfield City Hall 200 N. Sebascott St., Mansfield 

The following polling places have been set up throughout Scott County. The polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Listed are the voting precincts with the corresponding polling sites:
Blackfork: Blackfork Fire Station.
Blansett: Shiloh Baptist Church
Brawley: Lake Hinkle Fire Dept
Cauthron/Oliver: Bates Baptist Church
Cedar Creek: Cedar Creek Community Center
Coal/Lafayette: Bates Baptist Church
Denton: Winfield Church
Hickman Ward I and Hickman Rural West: Living Word Church
Hickman Ward II and Hickman Rural East: First United Methodist Church
Hickman Ward III: First Baptist Church
Hon: Hon Baptist Church
Hunt: Tatetown Pentecostal Church of God
James: Mt. Moriah Church
Jones/Little Texas: Harvey Nola Fire Dept.
Keener: Keener Freewill Baptist Church
Lamb: Friendship Pentecostal Church
Lafave: Harvey Assembly of God Church
Lewis 1: Abbott Generation Building
Lewis 2: Mansfield City Hall
Mill Creek: Solid Rock Pentecostal Church of God
Mountain: Boles Community Building
Mt. Pleasant: Mt. Pleasant Community Bldg.
Parks: Parks Methodist Church
Tomlinson/Tate: Packsaddle Church

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Tammy Teague
Tammy Teague
Tammy is the heart behind the brand. Her tenacity to curate authentic journalism, supported by a genuine heart is one her many wholesome qualities.
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