Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election in Baxter County will begin on Monday, Oct. 19, offering voters an opportunity to weigh in on federal, state, and local races, along with four statewide ballot issues.

All early voting will take place at the First United Methodist Church located at 605 W. Sixth Street in Mountain Home. Voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays through Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. On Election Day, Nov. 3, polling locations at 11 vote centers across the county will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Baxter County residents can choose to vote at any of the following vote centers: Baxter County Training Center in Midway, Big Flat Community Center, East Side Baptist Church or First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home, Henderson Fire Station, Lakeview Civic Center, Lone Rock Baptist Church and Norfork First Baptist Church in Norfork, Northeast Lakeside Fire Station, Salesville City Hall, and The Good Shepherd Methodist Church in Cotter.

Absentee ballots are available at the County Clerk's Office at 1 E. Seventh St., Suite 103, or by calling 870-425-3475. Voters may view sample ballots online at voterview.ar-nova.org. Unofficial election results will be compiled at the Baxter County Courthouse starting at 7:30 p.m. on election night. The County Election Commission plans to certify the election results on Nov. 13.

### Contested Races In key races on the ballot, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Hallie Shoffner and Libertarian Jeff Waldrin. In the 1st Congressional District, Republican Rep. Rick Crawford faces Democrat Terri Yarbrough Green and Libertarian Steve Parsons.

For governor, Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders is running against Democratic state Sen. Fred Love and Libertarian Colt Shelby. Republican Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge faces Libertarian Michael Kalagias in her reelection bid. State Sen. Kim Hammer, a Republican, is running for Secretary of State against Democrat Kelly Grappe and Libertarian Michael Pakko.

A contested local legislative race includes House District 3, where Republican Rep. Stetson Painter of Mountain Home faces Democrat Carrie Huddleston.

At the county level, the only contested race is for Justice of the Peace District 8, with Republican Edward Griffin opposing Democrat Micha Johnson.

In Mountain Home, voters will decide between Carry Manuel and Mary E. O’Shields for the Ward 3, Position 2 City Council seat. The mayoral seat in Salesville is also contested, with Scott F. Sillence and Lynley E. Christian vying for the position. Additional municipal races in Cotter and Gassville will also be on the ballot.

Several incumbents in Mountain Home—including Mayor Hillrey Adams, City Clerk Scott Liles, and City Attorney Roger L. Morgan—are running unopposed. Uncontested candidates across Baxter County include County Judge Kevin Litty, Sheriff Mark Hollingsworth, and Coroner Sara Fischer, among others.

### Statewide Ballot Measures Arkansas voters will decide on four proposed constitutional amendments referred by the General Assembly:

* **Issue 1:** The Citizens Only Voting Amendment, which would amend the state constitution to specify that only U.S. citizens who meet voter qualifications may vote in state or local elections. * **Issue 2:** A proposed amendment declaring the right to bear arms a "natural, fundamental, and individual right" extending to the possession and use of ammunition and firearm accessories. * **Issue 3:** A proposal to allow the General Assembly to create economic development districts. * **Issue 4:** A measure authorizing the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue up to $500 million in bonds for water, waste disposal, pollution control, and other projects, with caps on certain funding categories.

If a federal or state runoff election is required, early voting will occur Nov. 24, 25, 27, and 30 at the same First United Methodist Church location. All vote centers in Baxter County will be open on runoff election day.