I will be updating this post as the results come in the special election for the vacancy created in district 54 (Marion/Crittenden County area). I would expect most of the results to start coming in around 8:00 or 9:00, but who knows.
The election is due to a vacancy created by the indictment and subsequent resignation of former Rep. Fred Smith. Tonight’s election is between Republican John Geelan, Democrat Hudson Hallum, and Independent D’James “Two” Rogers. Normally, this is a safe Democratic seat, but due to the three-way race as well as charges of voter fraud and irregularities – anything could happen. Results will update below, but in the meantime you can read up on my previous stories on this race here and here.
One big thing to watch is the absentee ballots. The County Clerk tells me 747 absentee ballots have been requested and 602 were received as of this morning. The Republican Party of Arkansas put out a statement late today saying they have challanged over 200 of these ballots.
UPDATE – With unofficial results in, Democrat Hudson Hallum has 51 percent of the vote with 987 votes and should be on his way to being the newest member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. Independent candidate D’James Rogers has 28 percent with 537 votes and Republican John Geelan has 21 percent with 415. The victory gives the Democrats a 55-45 advantage over Republicans in the Arkansas House of Representatives.
9:20 – Totals (unofficial)
Hudson Hallum (D) – 987
John Geelan (R) – 415
D’James Rogers (I) – 537
