LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Anytime you hear the word election, the first thing that comes to mind is probably presidential, but there is a lot more at stake in the March 5 primary in Arkansas.
"It's important that everybody participates in the primary election because that decides who the candidates... will be on your general election ballot in November," Pulaski County Election Coordinator Amanda Dickens said.
According to Dickens, the primary election in March will include races in the senate, state representatives and down to the justice of the peace.
"All those local races matter way more than the presidential race," Dickens said. "They can vote in the Republican primary, the Democratic primary, and if they don't want to vote in either one of those, they can vote in the non-partisan judicial general election, which is just the judges."
Throughout the presidential campaign, we've seen a lot of changes with the candidates; most of them dropped out and decided to endorse whoever is still in the race. Dickens said Arkansans won't see those changes reflected on the ballot in March.
"The filing was happening back in November, and once that list is certified to us, those names have to go on the ballot," Dickens said. "Then, we immediately start printing the ballots for absentee purposes so those names will still appear for you on the ballot."
Dickens said that, over the years, their offices have seen a significant increase in primary voter turnout, and she hopes to see that again this year.
"Research and decide which candidates you're going to vote for," Dickens said. "If there are any issues on the ballot, you need to research that ahead of time... once you get there, you can go in the voting booth and vote."
Early voting begins on Feb. 20. To cast a vote, you must be a United States citizen over 18 and not a convicted felon. You also need to be a resident of Arkansas to vote in the state.
Election day is on March 5.