Why It’s Important for YOU to VOTE in This Year’s Primary
Early voting for the March 3, 2026 election in Arkansas will begin Tuesday, February 17th. I’m anticipating that the final voter turnout in Benton County will be around 15% of all registered voters. Of that 15%, typically more than 80% will vote in the Republican primary.
If this estimate is correct, 22,000 of our Republican voting neighbors will decide who our elected judicial and school board members will be for terms that last as long as 6 years.
These numbers are small for a county our size - with more than 184k registered voters and an estimated population of 325k. So if you would like to see leadership changes locally, not only do you need to make a plan to vote, but you need to encourage at least five of your friends to go vote as well.
On to the ballot info…
Benton County General Information
You can find information about the early voting (Feb. 17 - Mar. 2) locations along with dates and times on the Benton County website HERE. Day of election (Mar. 3rd) voting will be open from 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the locations listed HERE.
A few quick notes:
For this voting guide, I will not be listing every race across the county (to see more, I recommend utilizing AR Votes).
You can preview your sample ballot options on the Arkansas Voter View website HERE after you provide the requested information.
Candidates with a * after their name indicates they are the incumbent.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
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. For nonpartisan positions, this is the candidate I believe would serve the community well.
A ❌ indicates the candidate is NOT someone I would vote for in that position.
Partisan Races
When you check in to vote at a voting center, you will be asked to select either a Democratic, Republican, or Nonpartisan ballot.
NEW THIS YEAR - There is a change in the Arkansas Republican Primary this year. Voters registered as Democrats (this is a very small % of voters) will not be allowed to vote in the Republican Party Primary, but may vote either a Democratic or Non-partisan Judicial ballot. All other party designations, as well as "Optional" (default status) may choose any of the three ballots, Republican, Democratic, or Non-partisan Judicial.
Democratic Primary Races
U.S. Senate
Mayor Ethan N. Dunbar
Governor
State Senator Fred Love ✅
Republican Primary Races
The Republican Party does have some contested primary races, but I do not believe there is a “not terrible” option with a viable path to winning that is worth supporting this year. Instead, I believe it is much more important for people to vote in the Democratic primary to send a message to our state lawmakers that we are paying attention to what is happening nationally and across the state.
Republican Contested Races appearing in Benton County will include the U.S. Senate, Secretary of State, Commissioner of State Lands, and Benton County Judge, and for some ballots the Justice of the Peace for Districts 9, 11 or 13, or Constable Township 5.
Nonpartisan Judicial Races (All Benton Co. ballots)
Need more info on what each of these judicial positions is responsible for? Check out the tax-payer funded information provided by the Public Policy team at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Research & Extension HERE.
Arkansas State Supreme Court - Associate Justice, Position 3
Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Nick Bronni ❌ (Bronni is a current justice on the State Supreme Court via an appointment by Gov. Sanders in 2025)
Arkansas Court of Appeals - District 3, Position 1
I’m neutral on this race.
Arkansas District Court Judge Sarah Capp
Prosecuting Attorney Brandon Carter
Circuit Judge - District 19 West, Division 4
Both of these candidates are good!
Circuit Judge - District 19 West, Division 6
Circuit Judge - District 19 West, Division 8
Nonpartisan School Board Races
The only contested school board races in Benton County are in the Gravette and Rogers School Districts. Additionally, there are two Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) trustee contested races. I’m only going to weigh in on three of the races.
Rogers School Board - At Large Position 6 (all Rogers School District voters)
Jeanette Arnhart ✅ (former teacher)
Board Member Mitch Lockhart*
NWACC Trustee - Zone 1 (only zone 1 voters)
Angela Calix ✅ (NWACC graduate)
Trustee, Ashley Figer Pointer* ❌ (appointed to this position by Gov. Sanders)
NWACC Trustee - Zone 5 (only zone 5 voters)
Peter Bailey ✅
Trustee Ron Branscum* ❌ (this was the Trustee who was behind the “Trump Train” event authorized on campus during the 2024 presidential campaign season; see the NWA Dem Gazz editorial about the controversy HERE)
Nonpartisan School Millage Questions
Each school district in Arkansas is required to provide voters with an annual review of the school millage tax (whether remaining at the existing rate or a new rate). 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. There will be no requests for millage changes for school districts in Benton County.
I recommend voting FOR ✅ your school millage as a sign of funding support.
Ballot Issues
Rocky Branch Fire Protection
Request to increase dues from $75 annual to $125 annual for each residence or from $100 to $500 for each business in the designated fire protection area
Read more HERE
City of Little Flock
Request to increase sales tax by 1% for general operational purposes
Read more HERE
City of Siloam Springs
Annexation into the city
Read more HERE
Additional Voting Reference Information
Arkansas Votes website to view candidate information via ARvotes.org
Arkansas Voter Registration and Polling Locations via Voter View
League of Women Voters Vote 411
Arkansas Voter Education Resources from the U of A Coop Extension