LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansans got their chance to shape this year's presidential election starting last Tuesday when early voting began. But, if you haven't already voted, there are important facts voters should know.
When can people in Arkansas begin voting?
The first thing voters need to know is when they can vote. Arkansas moved its primary up to March 3 to join Super Tuesday and have a bigger role in the primary process.
Polls are open all day today and close at 7:30 p.m.
“I think it definitely makes us more prominent,” Joshua Price, one of three Pulaski County election commissioners, said Monday. “I mean, obviously, we’ve had quite a few candidates come and visit Arkansas. Michael Bloomberg was here, Amy Klobuchar. So, that is important to now target Arkansas as one of the states that candidates come and visit.”
Early voting began last Tuesday, Feb. 24 and ran until March 2, though polls are closed on Sundays. Price said the early voting locations are strategically located throughout the county. "We opened two more early voting locations just recently, so we went from nine to 11," he added.
Do I need to bring a photo ID to vote?
Price recommended that voters bring a form of photo ID with them to their polling place. “That can be a driver’s license,” he mentioned, “could be a military ID, could be a passport. A lot of people don’t know, it could be a school ID or any type of photo ID from a state institution.”
While poll workers will ask for a photo ID from each voter, state law does not require a voter to present identification.
Voters without identification will be allowed to fill out and sign a provisional ballot. Price said, if any voters worry that a provisional ballot will not be treated and counted the same as a regular ballot, they can see for themselves that is not the case.
“I can attest to, as an election commissioner, that we count every single provisional ballot and every single absentee ballot that comes through our office,” he stated. “In fact, we count them in person at the meetings that are open to the public.”
Can I choose to vote as a Democrat, Republican or independent?
When voters walk into their polling locations, they will have three ballots to choose from: Democratic, Republican, or Nonpartisan.
Voters in Arkansas do not have to register with a party to cast a ballot in its primary. When they walk in, the poll workers will ask which ballot they would like, and they may vote only on that ballot.
Price pointed out that more people in Pulaski County are registered as Independents than are registered as Democrats or Republicans. "Whichever primary you want to vote in, your vote is completely anonymous,” Price stated. “Nobody knows how you voted except for you."
On the party ballots, voters will get to choose among candidates for president, and possibly for state legislators and justices of the peace, depending on where they live. Eighteen Democratic candidates for president filed to be on the Arkansas ballot, and President Donald Trump has two competitors on the Republican side.
All ballots include the candidates for judicial positions and school boards, because those races are non-partisan, and they include any tax questions, such as those for the East End School District and Jacksonville North Pulaski School District.
The number of candidates can seem overwhelming, but Price believes it is easier to learn about them now than in years past because they all have websites or Facebook pages.
"Take a little time, go to their website; see what their bullet points are, see what they're for, see what they're against,” he urged. “And vote for the person that best represents what you want for yourself, and for your family, and for your community."
Where can I find my polling location?
The Secretary of State’s website allows voters to discover their polling location and see samples of their possible ballots. You can find your polling location by clicking here.
Can I register to vote the day of the election?
The deadline has passed for someone to register to vote for the March 3 primary. Arkansans have until October 5 to register to participate in the November 3 General Election.
When do polls close in the Arkansas primary elections?
Polls will close in Arkansas at 7:30 p.m.
The Arkansas Democratic primary will award 31 pledged delegates with 20 being given out based on the vote in the state's congressional districts and 11 will be given out based on the vote.