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The latest numbers are in, and it’s not looking good for Baxter County this election season.
Only 57 voters cast their ballots on Saturday, bringing a surprisingly weak close to the first week of early voting in this year’s primary season. A total of 964 voters have cast their ballots since early voting opened at First United Methodist Church last Tuesday.
Baxter County currently has 29,339 eligible voters who can cast ballots this election cycle, leaving election turnout at a measly 3%.
Early voting in 2023 opened to a strong 858 voters during the first day, compared to the 217 voters who cast their votes last Tuesday.
Voter turnout during last year’s election season ran around 22%, with 6,455 voters casting their ballots over Mountain Home Public School’s millage increase attempt.
Unlike last year, there aren’t too many interesting races taking place throughout the county, with most candidates winning due to lack of competition.
Out of the races that are happening, only two stand out for the area, with Cotter’s Jason Nazarenko and Justice of the Peace Tink Albright vying for Arkansas State Representative Jack Fortner’s seat in the Arkansas State House.
Fortner announced his retirement from office last year.
A local school board race between Mollie Morgan and Russell Luder is also drawing some attention from voters. The two potential school board members are vying for Bill Wehmeyer’s current seat. Wehmeyer said he was leaving the school board due to being unable to devote the time he thought was needed to the position.
With voter turnout so low, every candidate has a good chance of being able to walk away with just enough votes to win, so long as their GOTV or “Get out the Vote” efforts are fruitful.
The polls are open the rest of the week from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The polls will be open on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Election day is Tuesday, March 5.
Notice of Election
This notice is prepared by the County Election Commission to inform the public that the 2024 Preferential Primary will be held on March 5, 2024. The notice also provides public information regarding this election as required by law:
EARLY VOTING DATES AND TIMES:
T-F: Feb. 20th – Feb. 23rd 8:00am – 6:00pm
Sat: Feb. 24th 10:00am – 4:00pm
M-F: Feb. 26th – March 1st 8:00 am – 6:00pm
Sat: March 2nd 10:00am – 4:00pm
Mon: March 4th 8:00am – 5:00pm
Early Voting Location:
First United Methodist Church
605 W. 6th Street, Mountain Home, Arkansas
ELECTION DAY VOTING: MARCH 5, 2024 7:30am – 7:30pm
Location of Poll:
| Poll Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Baxter County Training Center | 170 Dillard Drive, Midway, Arkansas |
| Big Flat City Hall | Hwy 14, Big Flat, Arkansas |
| East Side Baptist Church | 718 East 9th Street, Mountain Home, Arkansas |
| First United Methodist Church | 605 West 6th Street, Mountain Home, Arkansas |
| Henderson Fire Station | 12487 Hwy 62 East, Henderson, Arkansas |
| Lakeview Civic Center | 14 Skyles Lane, Lakeview, Arkansas |
| Lone Rock Baptist Church | 6726 Push Mountain Road, Norfork, Arkansas |
| Norfork Baptist Church | 36 2nd Street, Norfork, Arkansas |
| Northeast Lakeside Fire Department | 5482 Hwy 62 East, Mountain Home, Arkansas |
| Salesville City Hall | 46 Gillespie Street, Salesville, Arkansas |
| The Good Shepherd Methodist Church | 179 Memory Lane, Cotter, Arkansas |
NO VOTING AT THE COURTHOUSE, TWIN LAKES PLAZA OR ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS. ALL EARLY VOTING WILL BE HELD AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
ABSENTEE VOTING: To request an absentee ballot, or to see if you are qualified to vote absentee, contact the County Clerk’s office using the information below:
1 East 7th Street, Mountain Home, Arkansas 870-425-3475 Office Hrs M-F 8am-4:30pm
Ballot Canvassing and Counting:
All processes listed below will be conducted at the Baxter County Courthouse located at 1 East 7th Street, Mountain Home, Arkansas. The dates and times are provided below:
| Activity | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Election Processing of Absentee Ballots (IF NEEDED) | March 4, 2024 | 10:00am to Completion |
| Canvassing and Counting of Absentee Ballots | March 5, 2024 | 10:00am to Completion |
| Compiling & Publishing Unofficial Election Results | March 5, 2024 | 7:30pm to Completion |
| Initial Review of Provisional Ballots | March 6, 2024 | 10:00am to Completion |
| Provisional Ballot Hearings | March 11, 2024 | 11:00am to 12:00pm |
| Final Review & Counting of Provisional Ballots | March 11, 2024 | 1:00pm to Completion |
| Recount (IF NEEDED) | March 13, 2024 | 10:00am to Completion |
| Post Election Audit | March 14, 2024 | 8:30am to Completion |
| Canvassing & Counting of UOCAVA Ballots (IF NEEDED) | March 15, 2024 | 10:00am to 10:30am |
| Certification of the Election | March 15, 2024 | 9:00am to Completion |
ELECTION OFFICIALS
Election Officials appointed to conduct early voting, election day voting, and all other required duties will be posted for public viewing in the County Clerk’s office on February 9th and remain posted for not less than 10 days. The County Clerk’s Office is located at 1 East 7th Street, Mountain Home, Arkansas. An objection must be filed with the County Clerk in writing prior to the following deadlines. An objection that an official is a spouse of a county election commissioner, a county party chair, or a spouse of a county party chair must be filed within 7 days of February 9th. An objection that an official is married to a candidate or related to a candidate within two degrees of blood relations must be filed within 10 days of February 9th.
NONPARTISAN/JUDICIAL CANDIDATES: These races will appear on the Republican primary ballots, the Democrat primary ballots, and a separate nonpartisan general election ballot.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice
Position 1
Justice Barbara Womack Webb
Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood
Jay Martin
Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker
State Supreme Court Associate Justice
Position 2
Judge Carlton D. Jones
Justice Courtney Hudson
State District Judge District 10
Judge Jodi Carney
State Supreme Court Associate Justice
Position 5
Supreme Court Justice Shawn A. Womack
City of Gassville, Arkansas 0.5% Sales and Use Tax
Adoption of a new 0.5% local sales and use tax within the City of Gassville, the net collections of which remaining after deduction of the administrative charges of the State of Arkansas and required rebates will be used for water and sewer purposes.
City of Cotter, Arkansas Sewer Improvement Bonds
Bonds of the City of Cotter in the maximum principal amount of $2,400,000 for the purpose of financing a portion of the costs of acquiring, constructing and equipping betterments and improvements to the City’s sewer system, and in order to pay the bonds, the pledge of (a) a 1% local sales and use tax levied within the City by Ordinance No. 2020-05, adopted January 28, 2021 and (b) revenues of the City’s water and sewer system. If the bonds are approved, the City may, prior to the issuance of the bonds, obtain interim financing as permitted by Arkansas law.
Cotter School District #60 32.67 Mills School Tax
The total tax rate proposed above includes the uniform rate of tax (the “Statewide Uniform Rate”) to be collected on all taxable property in the State and remitted to the State Treasurer pursuant to Amendment No. 74 to the Arkansas Constitution to be used solely for maintenance and operation of schools in the State. As provided in Amendment No. 74, the Statewide Uniform Rate replaces a portion of the existing rate of tax levied by this School District and available for maintenance and operation of schools in the district. The total proposed school tax levy of 32.67 mills includes 25.0 mills specifically voted for general maintenance and operation and 7.67 mills voted for debt service previously voted as a continuing levy pledged for the retirement of existing bond indebtedness. The surplus revenues produced each year by debt service millage may be used by the District for other school purposes. The total proposed school tax levy of 32.67 mills represents the same rate presently being collected.
Cotter School District #60 Position 4
Russel Duggins
Calico Rock School District #50 42.30 Mills School Tax
The total rate proposed above includes the uniform rate of tax 25.00 mills (the “Statewide Uniform Rate”) to be collected on all taxable property in the State and to be remitted to the State treasurer pursuant to Amendment No. 74 to the Arkansas Constitution to be used solely for maintenance and operation of schools in the State. As provided in Amendment No. 74, the Statewide Uniform Rate replaces a portion of the existing rate of tax levied by this School District and available for maintenance and operation of schools in this District. The total proposed school tax levy of 42.30 mills includes 25.00 mills specifically voted for general maintenance and operation and 17.30 mills voted for debt service previously voted as a continuing levy pledged for the retirement of existing bonded indebtedness. The surplus revenues produced each year by the debt service millage may be used by the District for other school purposes. The total proposed school tax levy of 42.30 mills represents the same rate presently being collected.
Calico Rock School District #50
Chris Brandon
Mountain Home School District #9 32.16 Mills School Tax
The total rate proposed above includes the uniform rate of tax (the “Statewide Uniform Rate”) to be collected on all taxable property in the State and remitted to the State Treasurer pursuant to Amendment No. 74 to the Arkansas Constitution to be used solely for maintenance and operation of schools in the State. As provided in Amendment No. 74, the Statewide Uniform Rate replaces a portion of the existing rate of tax levied by this School District and available for maintenance and operation of schools in this District. The total proposed school tax levy of 32.16 mills includes 25.29 mills specifically voted for general maintenance and operation and 6.87 mills voted for debt service previously voted as a continuing levy pledged for the retirement of existing bonded indebtedness. The surplus revenues produced each year by the debt service millage may be used by the District for other school purposes. The total proposed school tax levy of 32.16 mills represents the same rate presently being collected.
Mountain Home School District #9 Position 5
Mollie Morgan
Russell N. Luder
Mountain Home School District #9 Position 7
Jason M. Schmeski
Mountain View School District #30 28.91 Mills School Tax
The total rate proposed above includes the uniform rate of tax 25.00 mills (the “Statewide Uniform Rate”) to be collected on all taxable property in the State and remitted to the State Treasurer pursuant to Amendment No. 74 to the Arkansas Constitution to be used solely for maintenance and operation of schools in the State. As provided in Amendment No. 74, the Statewide Uniform Rate replaces a portion of the existing rate of tax levied by this School District and available for maintenance and operation of schools in the District. The total proposed school tax levy of 28.91 mills includes 28.91 mills specifically voted for general maintenance and operation. The total proposed school tax levy of 28.91 mills represents the same rate presently being collected.
Mountain View School District Position 5
Matt Butler
Mountain View School District Position 7
Roxanne Davis
Norfork School District #61 37.39 Mills School Tax
The total rate proposed includes the uniform rate of tax (the “Statewide Uniform Rate”) to be collected on all taxable property in the State and remitted to the State Treasurer pursuant to Amendment No. 74 to the Arkansas Constitution to be used solely for maintenance and operation of schools in the State. As provided in Amendment No. 74, the Statewide Uniform Rate replaces a portion of the existing rate of tax levied by this School District and available for maintenance and operation of schools in this District. The total proposed school tax levy of 37.39 mills includes 30.0 mills specifically voted for general maintenance and operation and 7.39 mills voted for debt service previously voted as a continuing levy pledged for the retirement of existing bonded indebtedness. The surplus revenues produced each year by the debt service millage may be used by the District for other school purposes.
Norfork School District #61 Position 2
Stephanie Free
Viola School District #15 40.62 Mills School Tax
This represents no change from the previous year. The total tax levy proposed above includes 25 mills for the maintenance and operation of schools, 0 dedicated maintenance and operation mills dedicated for purposes authorized by law, and 15.62 mills for debt service previously voted as a continuing debt service tax pledged for the retirement of existing bonded indebtedness. The district may use surplus revenues produced each year by debt service millage for other purposes.
Viola School District #15 Position 4
Jason Perryman
Mike Richardson
CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE:
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY CANDIDATES:
U.S. President/Vice President
Donald Trump
Doug Burgum
Nikki Haley
Ron DeSantis
Vivek Ramaswamy
Ryan L. Binkley
Asa Hutchison
Chris Christie
David Stuckenberg
State Treasurer
Secretary of State John Thurston
U.S. Congress District #1
Rodney Govens
Congressman Rick Crawford
State Senate District #23
Senator Scott Flippo
State Representative District #3
State Representative Stetson Painter
State Representative District #4
Justice Tink Albright
Jason Nazarenko
State Representative District #27
State Representative Steven Walker
Timmy Reid
Justice of Peace #2
Mike McDonald
Daniel K. Carley
Justice of Peace #6
Lisa House
Mark Medley
Justice of Peace #7
Charles Osgood
Bob Nault
Justice of Peace #11
Carla Dennis
Ezra Roberts
Toney Brasuell
Eric Payne
Constable #1
Douglas Stephens
Jeromy Weaver
Jamie Binnion
Unopposed Republican Candidates
JP District 1 – Dennis Frank
JP District 3 – Rick Steiner
JP District 4 – Dirk Waldrop
JP District 5 – Maryanne Edge
JP District 8 – Eddie Griffin
JP District 9 – Cameron Davis
JP District 10 – Shannon Walker
Constable District 2 – Nathan Horn
Constable District 3 – Kaleb Johnson
Constable District 4 – Julie Little
Constable District 5 – Bradley Beard
Constable District 6 – Ryan Beasley
Constable District 7 – Cade Seal
Constable District 8 – Tyler Brown
Constable District 9 – Billy Cox
Constable District 10 – Ronald Weaver
Constable District 11 – Frankie Baker
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY CANDIDATES:
U.S. President/Vice President
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Marianne Williamson
Stephen P. Lyons
Armando “Mando” Perez-Serrato
Frankie Lozada
Dean Phillips
Justice Courtney Hudson
State Treasurer
John Pagan
U.S. Congress District #1
Rodney Groves
Unopposed Democratic Candidates:
JP District 2 – Johnny Rickman
JP District 3 – Donnie Huffine
JP District 7 – Derek Huber
VIEWING YOUR BALLOT PRIOR TO VOTING:
Any voter may look up his or her sample ballot on the Secretary of State’s website at:
https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview. Ballots will be available no later than 20 days prior to the election. Sample ballots will also be available at the vote centers and at the Baxter County and Circuit Clerk’s Office.
