Sebastian County Election Commission changes voting site for Fianna Hills

The Sebastian County Election Commission has voted to change a polling site from Forefront Church to Mercy Clinic Primary Care-Fianna Hills in response to a formal request from Lee Kemp, a candidate for the Ward 3 position with the Fort Smith Board of Directors.

Kemp requested Forefront Church on Jenny Lind Road be removed as a polling place for the Nov. 5 election Sept. 19 after a complaint was raised against the polling site because it also serves as Kemp’s place of residence. Kemp is lead pastor at the church.

Kemp said that though the location has historically been one of the primary polling places for Ward 3 and he believes this decision may negatively impact his election. Kemp had initially approved the church serving as a polling site.

“I believe leaders should be above reproach and seek to be blameless in their character,” Kemp said in a statement regarding the request to remove the site as a polling location. “As a leader, I cannot allow any elected official or other candidate for office to tarnish the reputation of my church, my family, or myself. A solution has to be found to avoid continued public outbursts, potential legal disputes, or contested election outcomes.”

In response to Kemp’s request, the Sebastian County Election Commission held a vote to consider changing the polling site, said Manda Cravey, Sebastian County Election Coordinator.

“During our working session on Wednesday (Sept. 25), we conducted site visits and evaluated three locations,” Cravey said.

The commissioners had two unanimous votes – one to change the polling site for the Nov. 5 general election and another to select Mercy Clinic Primary Care – Fianna Hills, 9101 Jenny Lind Road in Fort Smith, as the new site, she said.

“This new site is still within Ward 3, located just 1.1 miles from Forefront Church. Our Notice of Election will be updated to reflect this change, and signs will be posted at Forefront Church to redirect voters to the new location,” Cravey said.

She said this is the only polling location change for the Nov. 5  general election and the commission does not anticipate any further changes.