What's on your March primary ballot in Northwest Arkansas
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It's preferential primary season. In addition to deciding who will be on the November ballot for president, NWA voters have some local decisions to make.
🗳 How it works: Votes are cast in either the Democratic or Republican primaries. Those who select a GOP ballot will make their pick for that party's nomination for president and any local races where a Republican nominee must be decided, including a U.S. House seat.
- The only NWA primary decision between two Democrats is to nominate a candidate for District 15 state representative.
🗓 Details: Early voting has already started. Election Day is March 5.
🚨 The big one: The Republican nomination for U.S. representative in District 3 is up for grabs between U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of Rogers and state Sen. Clint Penzo (R-Springdale).
Other races/ballot issues for voters in Benton and Washington counties include:
🧑⚖️ Arkansas Supreme Court
Of note: These are nonpartisan races that will appear on all ballots.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice, Position 1
- Four candidates are running: Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood, Jay Martin, Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker and Supreme Court Justice Barbara Womack Webb.
- Read about the race.
State Supreme Court Associate Justice, Position 2
- Supreme Court Justice Courtney Hudson vs. Judge Carlton D. Jones
- Read about the race.
🧑💼 State representatives
District 14 Republican nominee
- Nick Burkes vs. Joshua Hagan
- District 14 includes parts of Centerton and Bentonville.
- Read about the race.
District 15 Democratic nominee
- Stephanie Funk vs. Erin Lee Underhill
- District 15 includes some of Lowell and Cave Springs.
- Read about the race.
District 17 Republican nominee
- Randy Torres vs. Jeremey Criner
- District 17 includes a portion of western Benton County including Siloam Springs and Gentry.
- Read about the race.
District 24 Republican nominee
- Ty Bates vs. Brad Hall
- District 24 includes southwesternmost Washington County.
- Read about the race.
City special elections
🚒 Avoca — Voters will decide whether to increase Avoca Fire and Rescue Department dues from $50 to $125 a year for each residence and business.
🚓 Bella Vista — The city is asking to increase property taxes by 0.5 mills for police pensions.
💰 Centerton — Residents may continue to have a 1% sales tax to pay for the following bond issues:
- $26 million for land and construction of a new community center
- $13,169,600 for street improvements
- $2,618,700 for parks improvements and land for future parks
- $1.56 million for police expenses, including facility improvements and vehicles
- Of note: Voters will vote on each bond issue separately. If one or more passes, the 1% sales tax will remain.
⚖️ District judges and attorneys
State District Judge, District 2, Division 01
- Taylor Samples vs. Mark N. Scalise
- Read about the race.
Prosecuting Attorney, District 19-West
- Sarah Phillips vs. Bryan Sexton
- Read about the race.
Benton County justices of the peace
District 1, Republican nominee
- Justice of the Peace Jeff Dunn vs. Michael McCaskey
District 8, Republican nominee
- Justice of the Peace Joel Jones vs. Lisa Richards
District 12, Republican nominee
- John Good Rissler vs. Caroline Geer
District 15, Republican nominee
- Justice of the Peace Joel Edwards vs. Andrew Sova
Go deeper: Hear from Benton County Justices of the Peace candidates.
Washington County constables
District 1, Republican nominee
- Tom G. Clowers vs. John David Duggar
District 3, Republican nominee
- Joe M. Maynard vs. Kyle Woodruff