Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election in Baxter County begins Monday, Oct. 19, and will take place at the First United Methodist Church, located at 605 W. 6th St. in Mountain Home. Early voting is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31. On the final day of early voting, Monday, Nov. 2, polls will close at 5 p.m.

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polling places will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Baxter County operates 11 vote centers, allowing registered voters to cast ballots at any location, regardless of their residence. Locations are as follows:

- Baxter County Training Center, 170 Dillard Drive, Midway - Big Flat Community Center, 44 Community Drive, Big Flat - East Side Baptist Church, 718 E. 9th St., Mountain Home - First United Methodist Church, 605 W. 6th St., Mountain Home - Henderson Fire Station, 12487 Highway 62 East, Henderson - Lakeview Civic Center, 14 Skyles Lane, Lakeview - Lone Rock Baptist Church, 6726 Push Mountain Road, Norfork - Norfork First Baptist Church, 36 2nd St., Norfork - Northeast Lakeside Fire Station, 5482 Highway 62 East, Mountain Home - Salesville City Hall, 46 Gillespie St., Salesville - Good Shepherd Methodist Church, 179 Memory Lane, Cotter

Under Arkansas law, voters must present a valid photo ID at the polls. Accepted forms include a driver’s license, state-issued photo ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or a voter ID card issued by the county clerk. Expired IDs are acceptable if they expired no more than four years ago. Voters without an ID may cast a provisional ballot but must provide ID to the county clerk or election commission by noon on Monday, Nov. 9, to ensure their vote is counted. Those needing a free voter verification card may contact the Baxter County Clerk’s office at 870-580-5602 to schedule an appointment.

In case of severe weather or emergencies on Election Day, the First United Methodist Church will remain open as the sole voting location, per recommendations from the county judge, emergency management, and the sheriff’s office. Updates will be posted on the county's website as needed.

Absentee ballots are available for voters unable to attend in person. Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or fax until Tuesday, Oct. 27, or delivered in person by Friday, Oct. 30, at the Baxter County Clerk’s office, 1 E. 7th St., Suite 103, in Mountain Home. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day if mailed, or by close of business Oct. 30 if returned in person. The clerk’s office also provides sample ballots and can be reached at 870-425-3475 or via email at elections@baxtercountyar.gov.

The local Baxter County ballot has limited contested races. For Justice of the Peace District 8, Republican Eddie Griffin faces Democrat Micha Johnson. In Mountain Home, Carry Manuel and Mary E. O’Shields are contesting the Ward 3, Position 2 city council seat. Other municipal contests include races in Salesville, Cotter, and Gassville. Most county and municipal offices were decided in the March primaries or are uncontested. Sheriff-elect Mark Hollingsworth and other county officials, including Judge Kevin Litty and Coroner Sara Fischer, are unopposed.

In state races, incumbent Rep. Stetson Painter, a Republican, is seeking a third term in Arkansas House District 3 against Democrat Carrie Huddleston. On the federal level, Sen. Tom Cotton faces Democrat Hallie Shoffner and Libertarian Jeff Waldrin. Four statewide ballot measures will also be decided, including constitutional amendments on voting rights, firearm accessory protections, economic development districts, and bonds for water infrastructure projects.

Unofficial results will begin to appear at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 at the Baxter County Courthouse, 1 E. 7th St., in Mountain Home. Provisional ballots will be reviewed on Monday, Nov. 9, and certification of election results is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13, at the Baxter County Election Commission office, 213 E. 5th St.