Saturday, May 10, 2014
The pace of early voting has been slow in Benton County, leaving election officials to wonder about voter interest. Turnout in Washington County is about the same as 2012, officials said.
"As far as the number of registered voters, we're increasing each election cycle," Tena O'Brien, county clerk, said on Friday. "But it seems like we're having less people getting out and voting."
At A Glance
Early Voting
Washington County has early voting in the county clerk’s office on the third floor of the courthouse at 280 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville. Early voting hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today and May 17; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. May 12-16; and from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 19.
Benton County has nine locations open for the early voting period that ends May 19.
• County clerk’s office, 215 E. Central Ave., Bentonville: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today and May 17, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. May 12-16, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 19.
• County clerk’s office, 1428 W. Walnut St., Rogers: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today and May 17, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. May 12-16, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 19.
• County clerk’s office, 707 S. Lincoln St., Siloam Springs: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today and May 17, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. May 12-16, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 19.
• Iberia Bank, 706 S. Walton Blvd., Bentonville: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. May 12-16.
• Riordan Hall, 3 Riordan Road, Bella Vista: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. May 12-16.
• Intrust Bank, 3300 Market St., Suite 130, Rogers: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 12-16.
• Gravette Civic Center, 401 Charlotte St. S.E.: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. May 12-16.
• Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, 506 Enterprise Drive, Lowell: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 12-16.
• Centerton Firehouse, 755 W. Centerton Blvd.,: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. May 12-16
Source: Staff Report
According to information compiled in O'Brien's office, 1,739 people voted in the first four days of early voting. O'Brien said Tuesday saw the heaviest turnout, with 509 ballots being cast. On Monday 423 votes were counted. Wednesday saw 4,745 people vote and that dropped to 332 on Thursday.
"Compared to 2010, which was the last non-presidential year, we're behind," she said. "Compared to 2012, which was a presidential election year, we're behind."
O'Brien said there were 2,240 votes cast in the first four days of early voting in 2010 and 1,931 in the same period of 2012 early voting. She said local issues may have driven voter turnout in 2010.
"In 2010 we did have fire dues on the ballot in Avoca, Garfield and Gateway," she said. "Two of them passed and one failed. That might have been why there were more people voting."
Through the end of the day Thursday, there were 852 votes cast in Washington County, according to information from County Clerk Becky Lewallen's office. There were 252 votes cast on Monday, she said, another 226 on Tuesday, 237 on Wednesday and 137 on Thursday.
"Monday was our busiest day," Lewallen said. "It's been pretty slow in the evenings. We had about 2,700 in early voting two years ago. I think we're right on track."
Lewallen said there have been no problems in the early voting period in Washington County, and Benton County election officials reported the same.
John Brown Jr, chairman of the Benton County Election Commission, said he is concerned at the low voter turnout. The Election Commission authorized six off-site early voting locations this year to try and make early voting easier and to reduce lines on election day.
"I am disappointed," Brown said. "I would hope that more voters would take advantage of early voting rather than wait for the long lines on election day."
NW News on 05/10/2014