U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette misidentified on ballots in 2 Arkansas counties

U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette answers questions from reporters during the first day of candidate filing on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the state Capitol in Little Rock. .(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe)
U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette answers questions from reporters during the first day of candidate filing on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the state Capitol in Little Rock. .(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe)

U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette's first name was misspelled on ballots in two Arkansas counties, election officials confirmed Tuesday.

Early voting for the state's May 24 primary election began Monday.

Bequette's first name was misspelled as "Jack" on ballots in Craighead and Phillips counties as a result of a proofreading error that took place on the county level during the ballot preparation process, according to Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston's office.

Thurston spokesman Kevin Niehaus said the office notified Craighead County of the error April 28 and notified Phillips County on May 6. He said the office advised Craighead County officials to fix the ballot before voting got underway; Craighead County election coordinator Jennifer Clack said they didn't have time.

In a news release, Bequette claimed the error amounted to "the establishment political machine" trying to steal the election and called on Thurston and Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge to launch an investigation.

"For weeks, statewide election officials have known that my name was going to be listed incorrectly on ballots here in Arkansas, but they refused to act," Bequette said.

Thurston said in a written statement that he was disappointed Craighead County did not correct the error nor hold a public meeting to explain it. He said he has instructed the director of the State Board of Election Commissioners to inform Bequette of the formal complaint process.

Bequette is one of three Republican candidates challenging GOP incumbent Sen. John Boozman for the party's nomination. Heath Loftis and Jan Morgan are the others.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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