One Runoff Possible in Council Races

Ward 3, Position 2 Race Between Watson, Powers Still Undecided

— One City Council race looked to be headed for a runoff Wednesday, but another runoff should be diverted by a new election law.

Incumbent Jeff Watson and challenger Teresa Powers appeared to be set for a Nov. 27 runoff in the Ward 3, Position 2 race. Fellow incumbent Rick Evans, however, will escape a runoff with Zack Blake due to a change in the law.

Arkansas Code 7-5-106 states a candidate who receives a plurality of 40 percent of the votes cast can avoid a runoff if the second-place candidate receives 20 percent less of the votes cast than the front runner.

Final totals are not yet in for Tuesday’s election. Paper ballots in Benton County were yet to be tallied Wednesday after counting machines malfunctioned Tuesday night. Unofficial voting totals include all of Washington County ballots and Benton County electronic ballots.

Evans had 6,861 votes (49 percent) for the Ward 2, Position 2, seat and Blake had 2,828 (20 percent). Howard Cook had 2,228 votes (16 percent) and Tommy Golden 2,066 (15 percent) to round out the candidates for that race.

The change was approved by the Arkansas Legislature in 2011, said Jeff Harper, city attorney. The law went into effect in July 2011, stated an Arkansas attorney general’s opinion. The opinion also stated the law was not in conflict with the United States Voting Rights Act.

Evans said he is glad the race is over.

“I’m ready to start work for another four years,” Evans said.

Blake said he had no comment on the lack of a runoff or if he would run for office again.

Watson had 6,233 votes (45 percent) in the Ward 3, Position 2, race with Teresa Moore Powers making the runoff with 3,895 votes (28 percent). Christopher Pryor with 2,261 (16 percent) and Dan Runge with 1,531 (11 percent) complete that races list.

Watson’s percentage of the vote is only 17 percent greater than Powers’ total.

“I’m ready to begin the runoff,” Watson said. “I hope all my supporters come out and vote again.”

Getting people out to vote in a runoff is the name of that game, Powers said.

“We’re ready to hit the ground running 90 to nothing,” Powers said.

In the Ward 4, Position 2, race, incumbent Kathy Jaycox had 8,169 votes (58 percent) to Mitch Miller’s 5,830 (42 percent).

The proposal to allow Sunday alcohol sales looked to pass, with 8,855 for (52 percent) to 8,138 against (48 percent). If the margin holds, the council would have an ordinance on the Nov. 13 meeting agenda to repeal the city’s ban against Sunday sales, Harper said.

Sunday prohibition of alcohol sales was repealed by the vote of the people, Harper said, so the law should reflect that vote.

Stores could begin to sell alcohol on Sunday as soon as the election is certified, Harper said. The Washington County Election Commission tentatively plans to certify its election Nov. 16, said Tom Lundstrum, Jr., commissioner.

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