Arkansas Senate District 1 special primary enters final voting days

Registered voters who live in Arkansas Senate District 1 face a key absentee-ballot deadline Friday, Aug. 14, and the final days of early voting before a special primary election Tuesday, Aug. 18.

The election is limited to eligible voters residing in the district. It will be conducted like a regular primary, with voters casting ballots according to party affiliation. Voters who are not registered and residing in Senate District 1 cannot participate.

Key dates for District 1 voters

Friday, Aug. 14: Completed absentee ballots delivered in person by the voter, a designated bearer or an administrator must reach the county clerk by close of business. In-person absentee-ballot applications also are due by the close of business under the state’s general guidance.
Monday, Aug. 17: Final day of early voting.
Tuesday, Aug. 18: Election Day. Polls are scheduled to be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The voter-registration deadline was Monday, Aug. 10. Voters should not assume that new registration remains available for this election.

Early voting continues through Monday

Early voting began Tuesday, Aug. 11, and is scheduled to continue through Monday, Aug. 17. A local election report listed voting from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the county courthouse.

Because the district may include voters in more than one county and early-voting arrangements can vary, voters should confirm the courthouse location and daily hours with their county clerk before going. The Arkansas Secretary of State’s elections resources link voters to official tools for polling-site and ballot information.

Absentee deadlines are different

Arkansas Secretary of State guidance separates the deadline to request an absentee ballot from the deadline to return a completed ballot.

The contest-specific local report said applications submitted by mail, fax or email were due Tuesday, Aug. 11. That matches the state’s general rule that applications sent by mail or electronic means are due seven days before the election.

For voters who already have a completed absentee ballot, the in-person delivery deadline is Friday, Aug. 14, at the county clerk’s office. The same Friday deadline applies when a designated bearer or administrator delivers the ballot. The state’s general guidance also sets Friday as the deadline for in-person absentee applications from the voter, a designated bearer or an administrator.

Mailed absentee ballots must be received by the county clerk by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. A ballot cannot be returned by fax or email. Voters should contact the county clerk where they are registered for questions about local delivery instructions, office hours and whether a ballot has been received.

Check registration, polling place and ballot status

Voters can use Arkansas VoterView to check registration status, find a polling location, view a sample ballot and review available ballot-status information. The Secretary of State’s elections page also links to VoterView and other voter resources.

Before leaving to vote, District 1 residents should confirm that their address is inside the district, verify the assigned polling location and check the hours for early voting if they plan to vote before Election Day.

What happens next

Voters who miss early voting or the Friday in-person absentee-ballot deadline may still vote on Tuesday, Aug. 18, if they are otherwise eligible and reside in Senate District 1. Election Day polls are scheduled to close at 7:30 p.m.

Questions about absentee ballots, county locations or local voting arrangements should be directed to the county clerk where the voter is registered.

Sources

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