Hundreds participate in area election events, poll work

 

story and photos by Ruby Dean and Joel Rafkin
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[email protected]

Voters dissatisfied with the economy, the president and politics as usual, turned out in large numbers for this mid-term election and cast their ballot to reflect their discontent.

"This morning it (the line) was around and about (the building)," said Sarah Smith, who was in charge of the Fianna Hills Baptist Church polling site. By 6 p.m. she said more than 1,000 people voted at her location.

The environment at the Democratic Party watch event at Riverfront Pavilion and the Crawford County Courthouse was less frantic as people gathered and exchanged friendly greetings, ate and waited patiently for the returns to come in.

Jim Westfall, a self-proclaimed died-in-the-wool Democrat, spoke his mind when asked what he thought about the election.

"I think I’m going to be very disappointed. I think the lynch mob Christians have blood in their eyes and they’re going to make us pay," he said in reference to the Republican Party.

Sebastian County Sheriff candidate Bill Hollenbeck worked the room with his wife Karen. They thanked supporters and volunteers such as Linda and Richard Carlisle. Richard said he has never been heavily involved in politics until this point when he put in a lot of time helping his friend campaign.

In Crawford County, an amicable exchange took place between Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman and his opponent Max Blake. The two shared a conversation and shook hands inside the Crawford County Courthouse. Freeman said he first met Blake when Blake announced his candidacy and the two have only met a few times since. Freeman said he and Blake are on good terms and both men want what they feel is best for Van Buren.

Sebastian County Treasurer Judith Miller was excited as she entered Mojo’s on Garrison Avenue to attend the Sebastian County Republican election watch party. Mojo’s had multiple TVs and a large screen projector showing the latest results.

"I am going to win this race,” she said. (And she did with 71.35% of the vote.)

Dane Fulmer, an enthusiastic supporter, said that he "concurred that this election was a most important election we have had in a long time. It’s a referendum on traditional Americanism versus a strong socialism or progressivism to change the traditional Americanism."

Sharon Brooks, a candidate for Sebastian County Clerk, was tearful and hopeful at her prospect as she shares early results with Rex Terry, party chairman, and her husband, Carter Brooks. Brooks won the race with 63.6% of the vote.

Volunteers and supervisors arrived at the Sebastian County Courthouse after polls closed with precinct ballots to be verified and tabulated by the election staff. Once the precincts "smart chip" was taken from the blue boxes, it was then downloaded onto the computer system and added to already counted precincts and then displayed on the large screen upstairs to show updated results. Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Shue, who ran unopposed, was also on hand along with the election commissioner during the tabulation process.