Arkansas

Guide for the Arkansas 2024 primary and nonpartisan general elections on March 5; deadline to register Feb. 5

Published

2 years ago

January 31, 2024

Guide for the Arkansas 2024 primary and nonpartisan general elections on March 5; deadline to register Feb. 5

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Registered voters in Arkansas cast their ballots March 5 in a preferential primary, choosing to participate either as a Democrat or Republican. Ballots also include statewide nonpartisan races for judicial positions.

Early voting begins in Arkansas on Feb. 20.

To vote, citizens need to be registered with the county clerk’s office where you reside. The last day to register is Monday, Feb. 5. To check your voter registration status, go here ».

For those not registered, it is recommended to visit your local county clerk’s office on or before the deadline on Feb. 5. However, the proper voter registration form mailed with a postmark date no later than Feb. 5 will also be accepted. Registration forms may be downloaded in English or Spanish. Applications for absentee ballots and information for members of the military and other citizens who are overseas can be found here.

To see an actual ballot for your location, go to https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview, fill out your registration information, and then look for the sample ballot links at the bottom of your registration detail page.

Below is what voters can expect to see on the March 5 ballot, along with high profile races in counties around Region 8.

NATIONAL

All voters will see these national races, depending on their party ballot choice.

U.S. President:

Joseph R. Biden, Jr – Democrat
Marianne Williamson – Democrat
Dean Phillips – Democrat
Donald J. Trump – Republican
Nikki Haley – Republican
Ryan L. Binkley – Republican

NOTE: Ark. District 2 Congressman French Hill (R) for Cleburne and White Counties is running unopposed in the primary and will face a Democrat challenger in the Nov. General Election.

District 4 Congressman Rick Crawford (R) for most of Region 8 will run opposed in the primary and face a Democrat challenger this fall.

NONPARTISAN

All voters will see these races, without regard to their party ballot choice.

State Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 2

Judge Carlton D. Jones

State Supreme Court Justice Courtney Hudson

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Position 1

Supreme Court Justice Barbara Womack Webb

Jay Martin

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker

Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood

Voters in these judicial districts will see these races, without regard to their party ballot choice.

Circuit Judge, District 2, Division 4, At-Large

Curtis Walker, Jr.

Doug Brimhall

State District Judge District 23, Division 1

Judge Eric Kennedy

Chris O’Neill

State District Judge District 23, Division 2

Justin Mercer

Judge Mark Derrick

STATE SENATE

State Senate District 19

Tommy Wagner – Republican

Senator Dave Wallace – Republican

State Senate District 27

Timmy Reid – Republican

State Rep. Stephen Walker – Republican

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

State Rep. District 4

Justice Tink Albright – Republican

Jason Nazarenko – Republican

State Rep. District 30

State Rep. Fran Cavenaugh – Republican

Coty W. Powers – Republican

Republican winner will face Democrat Hamilton Holmes in the fall

State Rep. District 32

Brandt Smith – Republican

State Rep. Jack Ladyman – Republican

Republican winner will face Democrat David McAvoy in the fall

State Rep. District 35

Sherry Holliman – Democrat

Jessie McGruder – Democrat

Raymond Whiteside – Democrat

Councilman Demetris Johnson, Jr. – Democrat

Justice Robert Thorne, Jr. – Republican

Gary Tobar – Republican

State Rep. District 63

Mayor Lincoln Barnett – Democrat

Fred Leonard – Democrat

Constable Billy Thomen – Democrat

CRAIGHEAD

City of Bay Tax Proposal – A 1% sales and use tax to be added to the existing 1% sales and use tax already in effect.

City of Lake City – A 1% sales and use tax pledged to pay for bonds to be used for improvements to the Lake City water and sewer systems.

JP District 1

Brad Noel – Republican

Paul House – Republican

Andrew Stricklin – Republican

Winner will face Democrat Jolene Mullet in the fall.

JP District 5

Rick Myers – Republican

Don Mullenix – Republican

Winner will face Democrat Barbara Brown in the fall.

JP District 6

Darrell Cook – Republican

Michael Stull – Republican

JP District 7

Richard Rogers – Republican

Steve Floyd – Republican

Winner will face Democrat Chenoa Summers in the fall.

Constable D13

Scott Armstrong – Republican

Julian Dan Walker – Republican

GREENE

City of Paragould – New 0.75% sales and use tax within the city earmarked for public safety purposes.

JP District 6

JP Phillip Keeling – Republican

Don Lambert – Republican

JP District 11

John Shipman – Republican

Kirk Brinkley – Republican

Bula Constable

Constable Kevin Gillmore – Republican

Joe Pete Higdon – Republican

Dalton Constable

Lonnie Holloway – Republican

Constable David Howell – Republican

Paragould City Council Ward 1, Position 1

Tim Roswell – Republican

Bryan Privett – Republican

Paragould City Council Ward 3, Position 1

Dustin Rumsey – Republican

Jason Lincoln – Republican

Paragould City Council Ward 4, Position 1

Charles Nelson – Republican

Alderman Neal Adams – Republican

CLAY

Corning School District Millage – Proposed school tax levy of 36.5 mills, representing a 5 mill increase over current rate – For construction of a new high school – This may appear on some Randolph County ballots where voters live within the Corning school district.

Piggott School Board Position #3

Fallon Winscott

Will Jett

Piggott School Board Position #5

Richard Smart

Kristin Crittenden

JP District 3

Jeff Featherson – Republican

JP Patrick Patterson – Republican

JP District 6

Jeremy Woods – Republican

Dennis Haines – Republican

SHARP

JP District 9

Anna M. Stewart – Republican

Zach Baxter – Republican

JACKSON

Jackson County School District Millage – Proposed tax levy of 40.0 mills represents 1.5 mil increase in maintenance and operation and 2.5 mill for debt service for 4 mill increase over current rate, includes security improvements, safe room, and HVAC for Swifton gym.

JP District 4

Bryan Smith – Republican

Stephen Casteel – Republican

Brock Township Constable

James O. Thompson – Republican

James ‘Mickey’ Brock – Republican

Newport City Council Ward 4, Position 1

Donny Ivie – Republican

Allen Edwards – Republican

Tuckerman City Council Ward 2, Position 1

Terry Adams – Republican

Steven Finney – Republican

Tuckerman City Council Ward 3, Position 1

Ricky E. Herring – Republican

Kyler Soden – Republican

RANDOLPH

Richardson Constable

Larry Rogers – Republican

Victor E. Blevins – Republican

LAWRENCE

JP District 1

Pardo Roberts – Republican

Matthew Baldridge – Republican

JP District 6

Jeff Yates – Republican

Jeff Williams – Republican

JP District 9

Troy Owens – Republican

Andrea Dale Barnhill – Republican

Winner will face incumbent Alex Latham, running as an independent

Duty Township Constable

Cord Boggs – Republican

Shawn King – Republican

Reeds Creek Constable

Hunter Durham – Republican

Jason Bristow – Republican

POINSETT

East Poinsett County School District Millage – Proposing 7.9 mill increase over current tax rate for new building for grades 7-12 and maintaining other school facilities.

CROSS

1% Sales and Use Tax Special Election – Tax to be collected for 48 months to assist in operating and maintaining hospital and related healthcare facilities.

JP District 1

Amy Imboden – Republican

Renee Boeckmann – Republican

JP District 8

Jay Gahr – Republican

Jerry Rushing Republican

IZARD

JP District 1

Justin Sanders – Republican

Mark Simino – Republican

JP District 3

Randy ‘Hank’ Sherrell – Republican

Samuel Guiltner – Republican

JP District 6

Justin Thornton – Republican

Seth Engelhardt – Republican

JP District 7

Michael Cone – Republican

Gary Michael Morrison Jr. – Republican

Quillen P. Edwards – Republican

JP District 8

Adam Cooper – Republican

Doug Harber – Republican

JP District 9

Abranda Stephens – Republican

Richard (Rich) Emmens – Republican

New Hope Constable

Brett Stevenson – Republican

Eric Brantner – Republican

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Arkansas

ARKANSAS A-Z: Band formed by faculty members of what is now UCA | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

4 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Press Room

ARKANSAS A-Z: Band formed by faculty members of what is now UCA | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Five science professors formed the Professors, a bluegrass/folk band that performed for 44 years, beginning in 1967 when Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway was transitioning to State College of Arkansas, precursor of the University of Central Arkansas.

The band brought to life the “Friendliest College in Arkansas” slogan of the campus during those years, with shows that included a healthy dose of fun and humor along with the folk and bluegrass. One student remarked, “I think they are funny. I enjoy hearing them, because they enjoy themselves … . I didn’t know science professors can have so much fun.” They performed all over the state at fundraising events, football games, Kiwanis meetings and ceremonies, as well as at Conway’s first Toad Suck Daze in 1982. All of the band’s members were born and raised in rural Arkansas.

Ralva Bass, professor of physics, taught both physics and math at ASTC and was from Butlerville. Bass served in World War II and taught high school math in Newport in Jackson County before arriving at ASTC in 1958. He served for one year as interim chair of physics in 1964, and he coached the bowling team on campus. Bass played the rhythm guitar in the band.

Neal Buffaloe, professor and chair of biology, was born in Leachville; he was an author and a minister and began at ASTC in 1957. His service to the campus was honored by two former students, who established the Neal D. Buffaloe Laboratory for Science Education in the Lewis Science Center. Buffaloe, who had formal training in music and played the viola for UCA’s Little Symphony Orchestra, played fiddle in the band.

Bluegrass band the Professors in front of Main Hall at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, where the band members taught science: (Left to right): Denver Prince, Neal Buffaloe, Faril Simpson, Ralva Bass and Jerry Manion. (Courtesy of Dr. Robert Mauldin)

Jerry Manion, professor and chair of chemistry, was from Beebe, where he was the 1958 high school valedictorian; he started work at ASTC in 1965 and remained employed at UCA until his death in 2014. In 1965, Manion began practicing with the band in one of the chemistry labs or the radioisotope laboratory in Lewis Science Center. Playing the banjo, the guitar and some mandolin as well as singing tenor vocals, Manion became the leader and chief humorist of the band. He also played with the UCA Dixieland Band for more than 35 years.

Denver Prince, professor and chair of physics, was from Magnet Cove. Prince taught high school math, chemistry and physics before joining ASTC’s faculty in 1959. Prince was a strong supporter of UCA athletics, and the Prince Center on UCA’s campus was named in his honor. Prince played the upright bass, but in the early days of the band, it was a washtub bass. Prince helped on chorus as well.

Faril Simpson of Grant County began at ASTC as a professor of chemistry in 1958. He had previously served in World War II and taught at Hall High School in Little Rock. He served as interim chair of chemistry at ASTC in 1964. A lover of old folk music and gospel songs, Simpson had a beautiful, deep voice, and provided lead vocals. He also played rhythm guitar and harmonica.

Under the recording label Wildfire Records, the Professors recorded two albums: “Introducing the Professors” (1972) and “Remember Me” (1985). In addition, they recorded the singles “Salty Dog Blues” (1971), “When It’s Time for the Whippoorwill to Sing” (1971), “Weeds in the Tater Patch” (1972), “Gonna Lay It By” (1972), “Faulkner County” (1973) and “Arkansas Hornpipe” (1973). — Robert Mauldin

This story is taken from the online Encyclopedia of Arkansas, a project of the Central Arkansas Library System. Visit the site at encyclopediaofarkansas.net.

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Arkansas

Office of Keep Arkansas Beautiful Now Part of the ARDOT

Published

14 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Press Room

The Arkansas Department of Transportation is now the home of the Office of Keep Arkansas Beautiful following the passage of Act 148 of the 2026 Fiscal Session.

The act, sponsored by Sen. Mark Johnson (R-Little Rock), transferred the duties and responsibilities of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission to the new Office of Keep Arkansas Beautiful within ARDOT. The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission had previously operated under the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

This transition brings Keep Arkansas Beautiful’s community-focused programs under the same roof as ARDOT. According to a press release, working together as one organization will create new opportunities to align litter prevention and beautification efforts along the State’s Highway System.

“This partnership creates opportunities to think beyond litter,” McKenzie McMath Coronel, administrator of the Office of Keep Arkansas Beautiful, said. “Together, we can build on that work by enhancing the beauty of Arkansas through roadside wildflowers, scenic byways, community beautification, and other initiatives that make our highways and public spaces places people are proud of.”

READ ALSO: NPC Highlights Workforce Partnerships During Visit From U.S. Education Leaders

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