Sebastian County early voting up 40% in first week

Voter turnout during the first week of early voting was up 40% in Sebastian County compared with the same period in the 2014 mid-term elections, with one politico unsure what the turnout will mean for election results.

As of early Monday (Oct. 29) afternoon, the Sebastian County Clerk’s office reported 8,225 early voters. Early voting began Oct. 22, and ends Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. Election day is Nov. 6. (Link here for info on early voting locations and times.)

Early voter turnout in Sebastian County during the first week of the 2014 general election totaled 5,919. Total Sebastian County turnout in the 2014 general election was 32,029, or 43.3% of registered voters. The first week of early voting in the 2016 presidential election cycle had 14,175 early voters.

The tally reached 3,060 votes during first week of early voting in Crawford County, according to the clerk’s office in that county. A total of 16,227 votes were made in Crawford County during the 2014 mid-term general election. Comparative numbers during the first week of early voting in 2014 were not available, but a county clerk staffer said they are seeing a bigger turnout than expected.

Debi Council, chair of the Democratic Party of Sebastian County, said she can “hope for the blue wave” in the higher voter turnout, but there’s no way to be sure.

“I’m very hopeful, and we’ve been out there and we’re canvassing and knocking on doors. … But if I were a betting person, I would not be placing a bet right now,” Council told Talk Business & Politics.

Efforts to reach the chair of the Republican Party of Sebastian County were unsuccessful.

In addition to races for all seven of Arkansas’ Constitutional officers, and three ballot items, there are a few local races possibly driving higher voter turnout. There are several contested Sebastian County races, and in Fort Smith, Robyn Dawson and Sam Price are hoping to win the Fort Smith City Director Position 5 race. The Arkansas House District 77 race pits incumbent Rep. Justin Boyd, R-Fort Smith, against Libertarian candidate Stephen Edwards and Democratic candidate Luke Pruitt.

Contested races in Crawford County include two House races. Rep. Charlene Fite, R-Van Buren, is being challenged in the House District 80 race by Libertarian Casey Copeland and Democratic candidate Lou Reed Sharp. Rep. Bruce Coleman, R-Mountainburg, is being challenged in the House District 81 race by Democrat Donnie McKinney.

Also in Crawford County, the Van Buren mayoral race has Max Blake and Van Buren City Planner Joe Hurst vying for the open seat. Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman did not seek re-election. And the Alma mayoral race has incumbent Mayor Keith Greene being challenged by Jerry Martin and Ed Thicksten.