FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County election officials are fine-tuning their choices for voting sites for the Nov. 3 general election, including possible early voting at Bud Walton Arena.
Jennifer Price, election director, told the Election Commission on Tuesday she contacted the University of Arkansas about using the arena for limited early voting. Price said she has a meeting set for Thursday to discuss the details with university representatives and will report to the commission Sept. 15.
Commission member Bill Ackerman said an on-campus voting center has been considered but never adopted. Ackerman said congestion on and around campus and the proximity of other, established polling places reduced the need.
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Commissioners were enthusiastic about the possibility. Price said she was considering using the arena for three days -- Thursday, Friday and Saturday -- during the first week of early voting, which begins Oct. 19.
"As a longtime Razorback basketball fan I think voting in Bud Walton would be awesome," commission member Max Deitchler said.
"When you look at parking, size and location that's the best location on campus, as far as I'm concerned," Ackerman said. "It's got easy access for everyone."
Price told the commissioners the list of polling locations is still a work in progress. She plans to have eight voting centers for the full two weeks of early voting and four limited early voting centers.
Some of the issues are because of restrictions established in response to the covid-19 pandemic. Price said some centers used in the past are too small to set up the voting equipment and maintain the social distancing guidelines.
The Boys & Girls Club in Fayetteville won't be available because all its space is needed for children and students in after school programs. Price said she found space in a shopping center at the intersection of Wedington Drive and Double Springs Road, in the building housing the Diamond Dance Studio, to substitute for the Boys & Girls Club.
"It's a two-minute drive from the Boys & Girls Club," Price told the commission.
Commissioners agreed encouraging people to use the early voting period is crucial because of concerns many people have about voting on Election Day.
"We just need to really hammer people to come and vote early," Renee Oelschlaeger, commission chairwoman, said Tuesday.
Price said early voting has become the preferred choice of Washington County voters. In the 2016 general election, about 60% of all votes were cast early.
"We think that's great opportunity for people," Price said.
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Absentee voting
Washington County election officials are working on plans to handle the record number of absentee ballots they expect in the Nov. 3 general election. County Clerk Becky Lewallen said Tuesday the county received more than 5,200 requests for absentee ballots. Jennifer Price, the county’s elections director, said about 1,600 absentee ballots were cast in the 2016 general election.
Source: Staff report