In a few areas of the state there will be runoff elections on March 31, 2020. For example, there are some runoffs for legislative races and judicial races.
Runoff elections normally have lower turnout, but turnout could be much lower this time because of fear over the Covid-19 virus. That is sad news for our democracy and for the candidates who have worked so hard and who are continuing to work to try to win the runoff.
If you want to vote, you can minimize the possibility of being in a large group by taking advantage of early voting which begins March 24.
Casting an absentee ballot is another possibility. There are various deadlines on absentee voting based on whether requested by mail, by an agent, or in person and based on the method for receiving and returning the ballot. Here is a link the Secretary of State’s page listing the various deadlines. Absentee Voting Qualifications and Deadlines (Note, the deadlines listed are based on the March 31 election date.)
To qualify for an absentee ballot, you must meet one of these criteria:
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- You will be unavoidably absent from your polling site on election day, OR
- You will be unable to attend your polling site on election day due to illness or physical disability, OR
- You are a member of the Uniformed Services, merchant marines or the spouse or a dependent family member and are away from your polling location due to the member’s active duty status, OR
- A U.S. citizen whose residence is in Arkansas but is temporarily living outside the territorial limits of the United States.
If you wish to vote by absentee ballot contact your county clerk’s office.
