City sales taxes, legislative races on ballots in Crawford and Sebastian counties

Early voting has begun for the March 3 primary election cycle, with several contested races and sales tax votes on the ballots in Crawford and Sebastian counties. The ballots for some in eastern Sebastian County include the special general election race for Senate District 26.

The early voting sites in Crawford County are the Alma Community Center at 114 Callum Lane East, and the County Emergency Operations Center at 1820 Chestnut St., in Van Buren.

Following are the early voting sites in Sebastian County.
• Sebastian County EMS Training Room, 221 S. Coker St., Greenwood
• Ben Geren Park Tornado Shelter, 7200 Zero St., Fort Smith
• Creekmore Community Center, 3301 S. M St., Fort Smith
• Elm Grove Community Center at MLK Park, 1901 N. Greenwood Ave., Fort Smith
• Rye Hill Baptist Church, 11512 Old Highway 71 S., Fort Smith
• Sebastian County Clerk’s Office, 35 S. Sixth St., Fort Smith

The early voting dates and times in each county are Feb. 17-Feb. 20, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Feb. 23 to Feb. 27, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Feb. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and March 2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The contested races in Crawford County include a Republican primary race between Crawford County Sheriff Daniel Perry and Richard Rice. The House or Representatives District 24 Republican primary is between Charlene Fite and Melissa Koller. Rep. Brad Hall, R-Rudy, is not running for re-election in District 24.

Voters in Van Buren will also decide on a request by city officials to enact a 0.5% sales tax to support $36.8 million in parks and recreational facility work, including a new community center, and $8.2 million for a new fire department station and equipment.

Some Sebastian County voters will vote on the Circuit Judge, District 12, Division 5 race between incumbent Judge Gunner DeLay and Fort Smith attorney Ashleigh Buckley. Voters in Greenwood are being asked to renew a 0.75% city sales tax. The tax was first approved by voters in 2006, and was renewed in 2015 with 68% of the vote.

The race for Fort Smith Public School Board, Zone 5, between Wesley Hooks, Sr., and Matthew Garner will be on the ballot for some Fort Smith voters.

Voters in the eastern part of Sebastian County will have a ballot that includes the special general election for Senate District 26. Republican Brad Simon will face Independent candidate Adam Watson. The special election follows the Sept. 2, 2025, passing of Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, who held the District 26 seat. Senate District 26 includes parts of Franklin, Johnson, Logan and Sebastian counties. Towns in the large legislative district include Barling, Booneville, Charleston, Clarksville, Greenwood, Lamar, Lavaca, Ozark and Paris.

Link here for more information about voting in Crawford County, and link here for Sebastian County election information.

Link here for all Arkansas candidates in the 2026 election cycle.