BENTONVILLE -- Early voting turnout is slow for Tuesday's runoff election in Benton and Washington counties, but election officials said Wednesday they're not surprised.
According to the Benton County Clerk's Office, 96 votes were cast Tuesday and 88 on Wednesday, for a two-day total of 184.
Runoff election
These polling places will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for the runoff election.
Benton County
Bella Vista
Bella Vista Baptist Church, 50 E. Lancashire Drive
Highlands Methodist Church, 371 Glasgow Road
St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 1 St. Bernard Lane
St. Theodore’s Episcopal Church, 1001 Kingsland Road
United Lutheran Church, 100 Cooper Road
Bethel Heights
Moose Lodge No. 877, 215 W. Apple Blossom Road
Rogers
Central United Methodist Church, 2535 W. New Hope Road
Colonial Baptist Church, 1599 W. Olive St.
First Christian Church of Rogers, 905 S. 13th St.
Southside Church of Christ, 919 S. Dixieland Road
Garfield
NEBCO Community Building, 17823 Marshall St.
Source: Staff report
Runoff election
These polling places will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for the runoff election
Washington County
Fayetteville
The Awakening Church, 5763 E. Mission Blvd.
Christian Life Cathedral, 1285 E. Millsap Road
Sequoyah Methodist Church, 1910 Old Wire Road
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2730 E. Township St.
Trinity Fellowship, 1100 Rolling Hills Drive
Springdale
Calvary Church, 1000 N. Gutensohn
Cross Church, 1709 Johnson Road
Elmdale Baptist Church, 1700 W. Huntsville Road
First Church of the Nazarene, 2300 S. 40th St.
Springdale Rodeo Center, 1323 E. Emma St.
Springdale Youth Center, 1000 Watson
Turner Street Baptist Church, 4304 S. Turner
West Fork
West Fork Community Center, 222 Weber St.
Source: Staff report
"Rogers is doing a little bit of business, but it's slow everywhere," Benton County Clerk Tena O'Brien said Wednesday. "I don't anticipate a whole lot of traffic because it's Thanksgiving eve. I think there's a possibility Monday could pick up. It's the day before the election so there's a possibility we could pick up some."
In Washington County, according to the County Clerk's Office, 125 voters cast ballots Tuesday and 127 votes were cast Wednesday, for a two-day total of 252.
"The majority of the votes we had Tuesday were from Fayetteville," Washington County Clerk Becky Lewallen said Wednesday. "I was surprised we had 126 people vote."
The courthouses were closed Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Early voting continues Monday.
Voters in Washington County are considering races in Fayetteville, Springdale and West Fork.
Sarah Bunch and Tracy Hoskins are the candidates for the Ward 3, Position 2 seat on the Fayetteville City Council. In West Fork, Heith Caudle and Mike Nelson are for running for mayor.
Colby Fulfer faces incumbent Eric Ford for the Ward 1, Position 2 seat and Jeff Watson faces Kathryn Birkhead for the Ward 3, Position 2 seat on the Springdale City Council. Residents in a small section of southern Benton County live within the Springdale city limits and can vote in the two council races.
Voters in Benton County will decide city council races in Rogers, Bella Vista and Garfield.
Jerry Carmichael faces Keith Jackson in the race for the Ward 3, Position 2 seat on the Rogers City Council. In Bella Vista, Linda Lloyd faces Jerry Snow for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the City Council. Jim Teeselink faces Leonard Matthew Jr. for the Ward 3, Position 2 seat on the Garfield City Council.
Carmichael said his campaign will continue through election day. He said it's difficult getting voters to focus on another election with the Thanksgiving holiday coming in the middle of the early voting period.
"That is a concern," he said. "It's a busy time of year with the holiday. The focus is on families right now."
Carmichael said he voted in Rogers and the process is easy and convenient.
"You can walk right in and it's the only thing on the ballot," he said. "You can be in and out probably quicker than you can find a parking spot."
NW News on 11/26/2016