LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Early voting has been underway in Arkansas for two days, leading up to Election Day on November 5.
During an important election cycle, it's natural to have questions of all kinds, so we look at what early voters in Arkansas can expect before casting a ballot.
Voters by the thousands are expected to take advantage of the option to make their voices known early and avoid the traditional crowds on Election Day. But is it true that every county in the state must offer an early voting location?
According to Director of the State Board of Election Commissioners Chris Madison, county clerks in Arkansas have several duties and responsibilities. For example, they are the custodians of both early voting ballots and absentee ballots.
One mandatory provision, according to Madison, is when you can vote early. He says that Arkansas code states: “Early voting shall be available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., Saturday, before ending at 5:00 p.m. on the Monday before the election”. These rules apply statewide.
According to the Arkansas Election Commission, every county in the state is obligated to provide at least one location for early voting. Many may offer more, but they are required to have at least one.
The Cleveland County Herald reports that early voting there is being done at the Hall-Morgan Veterans building, across from the courthouse in the town of Rison.
In Pope County, early voters are to report to the county election commission headquarters. In Faulkner County, the clerk says there are six different locations.
Three are in Conway, one is in Greenbrier, one is in Mayflower, and another is in Vilonia. So, while county clerks must offer one early voting location, you may have other options, depending on where you live.
That means we can verify that, yes, all 75 counties in Arkansas offer early voting, and the hours are to remain consistent at each location.
To check your polling location for early voting or Election Day, visit the state's “voter view” website. You can also confirm your address and party association, and see a sample ballot online.