What to know on Election Day
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
It's the last day to make your voice heard, with local, state and federal offices up for grabs.
Why it matters: The results will determine who represents Northwest Arkansas in state and local government and will help decide which party controls Congress.
State of play: Polls are open from 7:30am to 7:30pm Tuesday. You must be in line by 7:30pm to vote. A state or federal government-issued photo ID is required, but you can still cast a provisional ballot if you forget your ID.
- You'll have to return with your ID to your county's board of election commissioners or county clerk by noon Monday for it to be certified and counted.
- Find your polling places and learn more about voting rights.
By the numbers: As of the end of the day Saturday, 542,900 Arkansans had voted early, Secretary of State's Office spokesperson Samantha Boyd told Axios.
- That's about 30% of the state's more than 1.84 million registered voters. Arkansas is seeing a higher early voting turnout. In 2022, about 25% of the state's registered voters had voted by the Saturday before Election Day, with 457,271 ballots cast of about 1.8 million registered voters.
- NWA is on par with the rest of the state, with about 30% of registered voters in Benton and Washington counties having already voted as of Saturday, according to the counties' election commissions.
- Washington County reported 46,899 ballots cast out of 154,292 registered voters. About 24% of registered voters cast ballots during the same time period in 2022.
- Benton County reported 62,960 ballots cast out of 204,425 registered voters. About 27% of registered voters cast ballots during the same time period in 2022.
The big picture: Democrats are pulling for representation in Arkansas' federal delegation, with eyes on the Senate race as Democrat Hallie Shoffner seeks to unseat Republican Sen. Tom Cotton and Democrat Chris Jones competes for Republican Rep. French Hill's seat to represent the 2nd Congressional District in central Arkansas.
- The push comes as Republicans nationwide try to keep their majority in both the Senate and House.
Zoom in: Nine state House of Representatives seats in NWA will be decided, and the winners will help shape new state laws during the spring legislative session.
- No matter who's elected, Washington County is getting a new chief executive officer as Democrat Dana Deree and Republican Tim Shepard compete for county judge.
- Washington County also has nine contested justice of the peace seats. Benton County has seven contested seats.
- Rogers has a major six-question bond issue on the ballot that will decide whether a number of projects — including $195 million in street work, a new training center for the Fire Department and a new animal shelter — go forward. Siloam Springs residents will decide on a 0.625% sales tax to pay for $55 million in wastewater improvements that city leaders say are necessary.
- Several of NWA's small towns have mayoral elections and ballot issues, including Sunday alcohol sales.
Zoom out: Arkansas also has four statewide ballot issues and several statewide races, including whether to reelect Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who is challenged by Democrat state Sen. Fred Love and Libertarian Colt Shelby.
The bottom line: Not voting is allowing others to make decisions for you.
- Check out our voter guide and see your sample ballot before going to the polls.