Baxter County has seen 4,364 ballots cast during the first week of early voting for the Nov. 3 general election, representing about 13% of the county’s registered voters, according to Election Coordinator Lindsay Roberts.
Voting on Saturday added 216 ballots at First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home, where early voting is being held. Weekday voting has been more robust, with several hundred ballots cast daily, compared to the slower weekend pace. The current turnout rate trails the 2024 presidential election, when early voting reached 15% by the third day, including a single-day record of 1,652 ballots on opening day.
This year’s ballot includes fewer high-profile contests, with most local races decided in the March Republican primary. Seven days remain for early voting. First United Methodist Church, located at 605 W. 6th St., will continue to serve as the early voting site this week, open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. The final day of early voting, Monday, Nov. 2, will have shortened hours, running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Election Day, Nov. 3, polls across the county will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters can cast their ballots at any of the county’s 11 vote centers, regardless of their residential address. In Mountain Home, vote centers include First United Methodist Church, East Side Baptist Church at 718 E. 9th St., and the Northeast Lakeside Fire Station at 5482 Highway 62 East. Additional locations include the Baxter County Training Center in Midway, Big Flat Community Center, Henderson Fire Station, Lakeview Civic Center, Lone Rock Baptist Church, Norfork First Baptist Church, Salesville City Hall, and The Good Shepherd Methodist Church in Cotter.
This year’s most notable local race is for state House District 3, where Republican incumbent Rep. Stetson Painter is seeking a third term against Democratic challenger Carrie Huddleston, both of Mountain Home. Other contested races include Justice of the Peace District 8, where Republican Eddie Griffin faces Democrat Micha Johnson. In Mountain Home, Ward 3, Position 2, features a race between Carry Manuel and Mary E. O’Shields for city council. Voters in Salesville will elect a mayor between Scott F. Sillence and Lynley E. Christian, and contested council seats are also on ballots in Cotter and Gassville.
At the state level, Arkansas voters will decide on several prominent races, including challenges to U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Rep. Rick Crawford. Additionally, voters will consider four proposed constitutional amendments addressing issues such as limiting voting to U.S. citizens, firearm accessories, the creation of economic development districts, and issuing up to $500 million in bonds for water and flood control projects.
Voters can preview their sample ballots online by visiting voterview.ar-nova.org or obtain copies at their polling location. Absentee ballots remain available through the Baxter County Clerk’s office, which provides services at 1 E. 7th St., Suite 103, during weekday office hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office can be reached at 870-425-3475 or elections@baxtercountyar.gov.
Election night vote counting will begin at the courthouse at 7:30 p.m. Unofficial results will be available that evening, with the county’s Election Commission set to certify results on Nov. 13.