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The polls are open.
Early voting in Baxter County begins at 8 a.m. this morning and will run through Saturday.
Unlike past years, early voting will not occur at the Baxter County Courthouse. Instead, early voting will be held at First United Methodist Church, which is located at 65 W. 6th Street in Mountain Home.
First United Methodist Church offers voters the ability to spread out this year instead of navigating the hallways and courtrooms of the Baxter County Courthouse. Parking is readily available for voters at First United Methodist Church, and the church building is more amicable to voters who may have disabilities.
This year’s primary is packed with contested races, most of which will determine the outright winner of the seat due to no Democrat opposition.
Races of particular note include the race between Cotter’s Jason Nazarenko and Justice of the Peace Tink Albright over Arkansas Representative Jack Fortner’s seat in the Arkansas Legislature. Fornter announced his retirement last year and asked Nazarenko to run for his seat.
Nazarenko also earned Governor Sarah Huckabee Sander’s endorsement earlier this month. An article going over each candidate’s position on the issues can be found here.
Another race of note is the race between Mountain Home’s Mollie Morgan and Marion County’s Russell Luder for a seat on the Mountain Home Public Schools’ Board of Education. Mountain Home’s school district is facing tough decisions in the future over its finances and both candidates seem qualified for the job.
Morgan has been one of the district’s biggest supporters and fundraisers over the years and has served as a long-time educator in Mountain Home. She has also served as executive director of the Mountain Home Education Foundation (MHEF) and oversaw the birth of the Promise scholarship program.
Luder is a lifelong accountant and auditor, who hails from Arizona. He retired to Marion County after serving as an auditor for the State of Arizona and as an accountant for Maricopa County.
An article on their positions can be found here.
Other races of notice include the race between Mike McDonald and Daniel K. Carley for the Republican nomination for Justice of the Peace #2. Whoever wins will face Johnny Rickman, a Democrat, in November.
Mountain Home School Board President Lisa House is also facing off against Mark Medley for Justice of the Peace #6. Whoever wins this race will win the seat outright and be sworn by the end of the year.
Justice of the Peace Charles Osgood is also defending his seat against Bob Nault for the Republican nomination. Whoever wins will face off with Derek Huber, a Democrat, in November.
Carla Dennis, Ezra Roberts, Toney Brasuell and Eric Payne are in a four-way race for Justice of the Peace #11. This race may result in a run-off election if a single candidate fails to secure the 50% plus one vote required to win.
Douglas Stephens is defending his seat for Constable in District #1. Jeromy Weaver and Jamie Binnion are also competing for the seat. All three are Republicans.
Early voting this week will also determine the future of several ballot measures through Baxter County’s local municipality. Two particular ballot measures stand out with the City of Cotter and the City of Gassville.
Both cities are working to complete a joint sewer project and are asking voters to approve measures to allow them to raise the remaining funds needed to complete the work.
Work on the joint project was delayed by the state over the last few years, allowing inflation to raise costs past what was originally planned for.
Cotter is asking voters to allow them to take out a $2,196,000 loan to pay for their portion of the project, while Gassville is asking voters to approve a 0.5% local sales tax to pay for its portion of the project.
Water and sewer rates are expected to rise to pay for the completion of the project in accordance with Act 605 if the ballot measures are rejected by voters. An article explaining the project and the proposed measure in-depth can be found here.
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.
