Is it really important to actually vote in this year’s primary election?
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since this seems important, what should I expect?
All voters will be able to select their choices for two state Supreme Court positions. All Benton County voters will also choose their next county prosecutor. Additionally, if you are a resident in the Avoca Fire and Rescue district, Bella Vista municipality, or Centerton municipality, you will have tax questions to vote FOR or AGAINST.
When you go to vote, you will be asked which primary ballot you would like to have - Democratic, Nonpartisan, or Republican*.
If you select Nonpartisan (N), you will NOT be able to participate in any of the partisan races for the primary.
If you select the Democratic (D) primary, you will vote in the presidential primary and if you live in state representative district 15 (mostly central Rogers), you’ll be able to vote for one of the two choices for that race.
If you select the Republican (R) primary, you will vote in the presidential and the congressional primaries. Depending on which districts you live in, you may have additional state representative or justice of the peace primaries as well.
*Remember, if you plan to participate in the Democratic Convention process in 2024, you CANNOT vote in this year’s Republican primary.
Benton County Ballot Items:
A few quick notes:
You can preview your sample ballot options on the Arkansas Voter View website HERE after you provide the requested information.
Candidates with a * indicate they are the incumbent.
Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot within Benton County.
Where possible, I’ve included links to the candidate’s campaign website or Facebook page.
A ✅ by a candidate indicates who I would choose if that race was on my ballot.
A ❌ indicates the candidate is NOT someone I would vote for in that position.
Nonpartisan Judicial Races (All Benton Co. Voters)
Candidates indicated with a ** are current justices on the Supreme Court. If a current justice wins, the GOVERNOR will appoint the replacement to their current seat until voters have the opportunity to chose the replacement in the 2026 election. Any current justice who does not win, will continue to serve in their current position.
Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice:
Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood** ❌
Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker**
Supreme Court Justice Barbara Womack Webb** ❌
Arkansas Supreme Court Position 2:
State Supreme Court Justice Courtney Hudson**
Judge Carlton D. Jones ✅
Benton County Prosecutor:
Democratic Partisan Races
President:
Frankie Lozada
Stephen P. Lyons
Marianne Williamson
Armando 'Mando' Perez-Serrato
Dean Phillips
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.* ✅
State Representative District 15:
Republican Partisan Races
President:
Chris Christie
Ron DeSantis
Asa Hutchinson
Vivek Ramaswamy
Nikki Haley
Donald J. Trump ❌
David Stuckenberg
Ryan L. Binkley
Doug Burgum
Congressional District 3 - U.S. House of Representatives:
Congressman Steve Womack*
Senator Clint Penzo ❌
State Representative District 14:
State Representative District 17:
Justice of the Peace District 1 (NE Rogers/Beaver Lake):
Justice of the Peace Jeff Dunn*
Justice of the Peace District 8 (North & Downtown Bentonville):
Justice of the Peace Joel Jones*
Justice of the Peace District 12 (Siloam Springs):
Caroline Geer
Justice of the Peace District 15 (North Centerton and NW Bentonville):
Justice of the Peace Joel Edwards*
School Board (nonpartisan)
Siloam Springs School Board Zone 1:
Elicia Williamson (indicated on Facebook that she has bowed out of the race, just not in time to be removed from the ballot)
School Millage Questions
Each school district in Arkansas is required to provide voters with an annual review of the school millage tax (whether existing or new). If the millage was already approved by voters and the school district is not requesting a change, then the annual vote will NOT impact the existing millage, regardless if more voters vote AGAINST.
All of the Benton County school districts participating in the Spring election cycle are NOT changing their current millage programs.
Special Election Questions
These special election items will only appear on ballots for voters impacted by election question.
Avoca Fire and Rescue Department (Vote FOR or AGAINST):
Request to increase dues from $50 annual to $125 annual for each residence or business in the designated area.
City of Bella Vista (Vote FOR or AGAINST):
Request to increase 0.5 Mills on the dollar of annual assessed taxes - to support Police Officer’s Pensions.
City of Centerton (Vote FOR or AGAINST):
Request to extend existing 1.0% city-wide sales and use tax from 2017. Extension includes refunding bonds & taxes; a community center; street, parks and recreation, and police facilities improvements.
Other Election Information
Links for more election related information:
Benton County early voting locations with dates and times: HERE
Benton County election day voting locations (7:30 - 7:30): HERE
More information about elections across Arkansas: www.arvotes.org
Arkansas ACLU voting rights information: HERE
Arkansas voter education resources: HERE