Baxter County residents have cast 1,750 ballots in the early days of voting for the Nov. 3 general election, accounting for approximately 5% of the county's registered voters, according to Election Coordinator Lindsay Roberts. Of that total, 880 votes were cast on a single day.
While this turnout is lower than the 2024 presidential election—which saw a record-breaking 1,652 voters on the first day alone—this year’s midterm election still features a range of state and local races, as well as four proposed constitutional amendments.
Early voting is being held at the First United Methodist Church, located at 605 W. 6th St. on West Road in Mountain Home. The site is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The final day for early voting is Monday, Nov. 2, with hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Election Day, polls across the county will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and voters can cast their ballots at any of Baxter County’s 11 vote centers.
Key local races include the contest for state House District 3, which covers parts of Baxter and Fulton counties. Republican Rep. Stetson Painter, seeking a third term, faces Democrat Carrie Huddleston. The race for Justice of the Peace District 8, Baxter County’s only contested Quorum Court seat, pits Republican incumbent Eddie Griffin, who is also Mountain Home’s police chief, against Democrat Micha Johnson. In Mountain Home, Ward 3, Position 2 City Council member Carry Manuel is contested by Mary E. O’Shields.
Mayoral races are being held in three cities: Scott F. Sillence and Lynley E. Christian are vying for the position in Salesville, while mayoral candidates in Big Flat, Briarcliff, Cotter, Gassville, Lakeview, and Norfork are running unopposed. Additional city council races include contested seats in Cotter and Gassville.
At the state level, Republican Sen. Tom Cotton is seeking a third term against Democrat Hallie Shoffner and Libertarian Jeff Waldrin. In the gubernatorial race, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders faces Democratic state Sen. Fred Love and Libertarian Colt Shelby. Other statewide contests include the 1st Congressional District race and an open competition for the secretary of state position.
Four statewide constitutional amendments referred by the Legislature are also on the ballot. Issue 1 would limit voting eligibility to U.S. citizens, while Issue 2 seeks to extend the constitutional right to bear arms to include ammunition and firearm components. Issue 3 would permit the creation of economic development districts within communities, and Issue 4 proposes bond funding for water, waste, and irrigation projects.
Voters are encouraged to review their sample ballots online at voterview.ar-nova.org or at polling places. Absentee voting is available through the County Clerk’s office at 1 E. 7th St., Suite 103, which can be reached at 870-425-3475 or elections@baxtercountyar.gov.
In case of severe weather or emergency on Election Day, the First United Methodist Church will be the designated polling site to remain open, as determined by the Election Commission, in coordination with local officials. Unofficial results will be tallied at the courthouse on election night beginning at 7:30 p.m., with the Election Commission scheduled to certify the election on Nov. 13.