Commission certifies Nov. 8 election results, prepares for run-offs

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Washington County Election Commission on Monday certified the results from the Nov. 8 general election. No outcomes changed from the preliminary, unofficial results.

Total ballots cast during the election was 82,607 with about 65 percent of eligible voters participating, according to commission documents. The number includes absentee, overseas and provisional ballots.

Runoff election

Early voting will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today, Wednesday and Monday in the Washington County Clerk’s Office at the courthouse. The courthouse will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Source: Washington County Election Commission

Commissioners reviewed provisional ballots and approved the ballots of two people who came to plead their cases during a meeting last week, commissioners said. Commissioners also signed last week the notice of election for the runoff races for West Fork mayor and Springdale and Fayetteville aldermen, according to commission records.

The runoff election is Nov. 29. Early voting starts today at the courthouse. Vote centers will be open in Fayetteville, Springdale and West Fork on Nov. 29.

Voter turnout is expected to be substantially lower for the runoff election, said Jennifer Price, executive director of the commission. Commissioners said they hoped more voters than expected will turn out, but fewer than 500 people are expected to cast ballots during early voting, Price said.

Typically, about 5 percent of registered voters cast ballots during runoff elections, Price said.

Getting voters back to the polls is difficult but important to "make the process where they are electing the people's choice," said Bill Ackerman, commission chairman.

"It's paramount they come out and support their candidate," he said.

NW News on 11/22/2016

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