Early voting ends today for runoff election

Kelsi Crawford with the Benton County Clerk's Office helps Josh Carlson of Bentonville cast his ballot on Wednesday Nov. 25 2020 during early voting for the runoff election at the Benton County Administration building. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)
Kelsi Crawford with the Benton County Clerk's Office helps Josh Carlson of Bentonville cast his ballot on Wednesday Nov. 25 2020 during early voting for the runoff election at the Benton County Administration building. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

BENTONVILLE -- Today is the last day to vote early in the runoff election.

Election Day is Tuesday. City council races in five cities in Benton and Washington counties will be decided.

State law requires a runoff in municipal races with more than two candidates if no candidate receives either a majority of the votes cast or a plurality of 40%. A candidate who receives a plurality of 40% of the votes cast must obtain at least 20% more votes than the second-place candidate.

Early voting was held Nov. 24 and Wednesday, but county offices were closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Through the two days of early voting, 453 ballots were cast in Benton County and 180 in Washington County.

Benton County has about 53,000 voters eligible to vote in the runoff, and Washington County has about 39,000 eligible voters, election officials said.

Benton County had 170,038 registered voters as of the Nov. 3 general election, and Washington County had 140,744 registered voters.

Mailed ballots must arrive at the county clerk's office by Election Day. Those who turn in a ballot in person must do so today.

The runoff city council races include Ward 1, Position 2 in Bentonville where Gayatri Agnew will face Jeff Matkins. Chad Goss, who holds the seat, didn't seek reelection.

Mark Fougerousse and Councilwoman Kathy Jaycox are on the ballot for Ward 4, Position 2 in Springdale. Jaycox, the incumbent, withdrew from the election after ballots were printed.

In Fayetteville, D'Andre Jones and Tanner Pettigrew are vying for the open Ward 1, Position 2 seat. Council member Sarah Marsh didn't seek reelection.

Liz Estes and Kendell Stucki are running for the Ward 3, Position 1 seat in Lowell. Linda Vannoy didn't file for reelection.

In Centerton, the Ward 1, Position 2 seat is up for grabs between Councilwoman Robin Reed and Amy Rochette.

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Early voting centers

Early voting for Tuesday’s runoff election will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today.

Voters may cast a ballot at any polling place in the county where they are registered to vote. Voters must provide a form of identification. No bags or purses are allowed in the Benton County Administration Building.

BENTON COUNTY

County Clerk’s Offices

215 E. Central Ave., Suite 217, Bentonville

2111 W. Walnut St., Rogers

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Washington County Courthouse

280 N. College Ave., Suite 300, Fayetteville

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Election day voting centers

The general election runoff is Tuesday. Voters may cast a ballot at any polling place in the county where they are registered to vote. Voters must provide a form of identification.

All voting centers will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

BENTON COUNTY

Bentonville

• First Landmark Baptist Church, 206 S.E. 28th St.

Centerton

• Reach Church, 900 W. Centerton Blvd.

Lowell

• First Baptist Church, 209-A Washington St.

Springdale

• Moose Lodge, 215 W. Apple Blossom Ave.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY

Fayetteville

• Baldwin Church of Christ, 4377 Huntsville Road

• Genesis Church, 205 Martin Luther King Blvd.

• Sang Avenue Baptist Church, 1425 N. Sang Ave.

• Yvonne Richardson Center, 240 E. Rock St.

Springdale

• Calvary Church, 1000 N. Gutensohn Road

• Elmdale Baptist Church, 1700 W. Huntsville Road

• First Church of the Nazarene, 2300 S. 40th St.

• Oak Grove Baptist Church, 499 Oak Grove Road

• Springdale Civic Center, 2323 S. Old Missouri Road, No. D1

Source: County clerks

Mike Jones may be reached by email at mjones@nwadg.com.

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