LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Though early voting hasn't officially kicked off just yet, it has still been a busy time for local election workers.
Poll workers in Pulaski and Saline County are in the final stages of preparing to welcome early voters beginning on October 21, 2024.
Next week, voters will be able to cast their ballot on machines in 13 early voting sites all across Pulaski County.
"We've got delivery of early voting machines coming up this week. So starting Wednesday, I believe, and we'll get everything set up at our early vote sites, and the workers will be ready to go first thing Monday morning at 8:00 a.m.," said Amanda Dickens, the Pulaski County Election Coordinator.
Dickens explained how so far preparations have been smooth, and she expects things to stay that way come next week.
She said a new feature started in the primary where if a voter presents their driver's license, they can scan it with their poll book to accurately search for their record to make for a faster check-in.
There are also more than enough poll workers to help throughout this election cycle.
"We even have extras on the list who've signed up to be an alternate. So they're going to be back up for us just in case anything happens," Dickens added.
It's a similar story in Saline County.
"We usually have a list of extras. If we need them, we go ahead and train those up also. [We're] looking for a big day, the first day this election," said Doug Curtis, the Saline County Clerk.
Curtis said he's been preparing for this for a while and now it's down to the final stages.
"We're making sure all the equipment is up to shape. We've had to replace a couple of batteries and a couple of things on the equipment. So everything's top-notch right now. We'll start delivering equipment this coming weekend, and hopefully be a smooth start to early voting," he explained.
More than 200 poll workers are ready to help out at the county's four early voting sites.
"We're looking for no problems, but we're prepared for the problems," he said.
Curtis also said they'll overcome them if they happen and he expects a lot of voters to come out and make their voices heard.
"In 2014 we had 69,345 registered voters right now in Saline County, we're at over 80,000 registered voters, probably over 81,000 by now. So it should be a great turnout. Everybody's getting interested in this election," he added.
Don't forget you'll need to bring your photo ID with you to the polls.