Voting in ʻSuper Tuesdayʼ primaries right around the corner

Voting in ʻSuper Tuesdayʼ primaries right around the corner

Arkansas is one of 14 states where voters will cast a ballot on March 1 in the presidential primary. The presidential race is just one of many races you may see on this ballot. These races will have a significant impact on your city, your district, and your judicial system.

That is why we want to remind you of an important deadline. Any resident who has never registered to vote in Arkansas will need to register by Feb. 1 to vote in the Super Tuesday primary election.

Unfortunately each Election Day, many would-be first time voters in Arkansas do not have their votes counted because they are not actually registered to vote. The Secretary of Stateʼs office is reminding Arkansans that submitting your voter application does not guarantee your registration. You must receive acknowledgment of your registration from the county clerk.

If you have moved to a different county since the last election you will need to submit your updated registration information to the clerk in your new county no later than Feb. 26.

Arkansas has an open primary which means any registered voter can cast a vote, regardless of his or her political affiliation. Once at the polling site, all voters may choose which party ballot they will vote on. They are held to that affiliation in the case of a runoff election. An unaffiliated voter may decide not to participate in either party's primary and will be given the ballot with non-partisan contests only.

The non-partisan contests include local judges and, in some areas of the state, judges for the Court of Appeals. Arkansans state wide will also be voting on two Supreme Court Justice positions including the Chief Justice.

Early voting for the primary begins Feb. 16. We encourage you to ask your county clerk for a sample ballot before heading to the polls. And donʼt forget to verify your registration.

From State Representative Milton Nicks