Early voting in Baxter County has seen significant turnout, with 8,645 ballots cast as of Saturday, according to Election Coordinator Lindsay Roberts. This accounts for about 27% of the county’s registered voters. One additional day of early voting remains on Monday, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, located at 605 W. 6th St. in Mountain Home.
Saturday’s turnout brought in 373 voters, while weekday turnout last week averaged approximately 800 voters per day. Despite the strong engagement, this year’s numbers remain lower compared to the 2020 presidential election, which saw a 15% turnout by the third day of early voting and a single-day record of 1,652 ballots cast on opening day.
Statewide, early voting is comparable, with over 518,000 Arkansans casting ballots early or by mail as of Sunday. That figure represents about 28% of the state’s 1.84 million registered voters and already surpasses the 500,000 early voters originally projected by the secretary of state’s office before early voting began. Officials estimate that about 920,000 voters, or half the state’s electorate, will participate by the time polls close on Election Day.
Election Day voting in Baxter County will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters can cast ballots at any of the county’s 11 vote centers, regardless of their residence. Locations include the First United Methodist Church, East Side Baptist Church at 718 E. 9th St., and the Northeast Lakeside Fire Station at 5482 Highway 62 East in Mountain Home, as well as the Baxter County Training Center, 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 ballot includes a variety of local, state, and federal races, although some major contests were decided in the March Republican primary. Locally, Arkansas House District 3 pits incumbent Republican Rep. Stetson Painter of Mountain Home against Democrat Carrie Huddleston of Mountain Home. Justice of the Peace District 8 features a contest between Republican Eddie Griffin and Democrat Micha Johnson.
In Mountain Home, the only city council race is for Ward 3, Position 2, with Carry Manuel facing Mary E. O’Shields. Salesville will elect a new mayor, choosing between Scott F. Sillence and Lynley E. Christian. Cotter and Gassville also have contested council races.
Statewide elections include races for governor and the U.S. Senate. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is running for a second term against Democratic state Sen. Fred Love and Libertarian Colt Shelby. U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton is seeking re-election against Democrat Hallie Shoffner and Libertarian Jeff Wadlin. Additionally, voters will decide on four proposed constitutional amendments addressing voting rights, gun rights, economic development districts, and water infrastructure funding.
Voters can check their sample ballot online at voterview.ar-nova.org, or pick one up at their polling location. Absentee voters may still cast ballots through the Baxter County Clerk’s Office, and mailed ballots must arrive by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Unofficial results will be available after polls close Tuesday evening, with final certification scheduled for Nov. 13.
Election officials remind voters that anyone in line at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day will be allowed to vote. For additional information, contact the Baxter County Clerk’s Office at 870-425-3475 or 870-580-5602.