FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County election officials certified the results of the Nov. 6 general election Friday.
The Election Commission heard from two voters who cast provisional ballots that weren't counted. One registered after the deadline for the election. Commissioners said the second represented a more troubling issue for voters in Washington County and possibly statewide.
John Bamburg said he registered to vote at a state Revenue Office. Election officials said the Washington County Clerk's Office never received notice of his registration. Jennifer Price, executive director of the commission, said voters who register while getting their driver's license or vehicle tags renewed need to be aware they aren't registered until they receive a voter registration card from the county.
"It is something we noticed in this election," Price said. "A lot of people went to an online site and filled out a form and thought they were registered. What voters hear on TV or see in ads is not necessarily the whole process."
Bill Ackerman, commission chairman, said the problem seems to be statewide and needs to be addressed at the state level.
"I think we need to bring it up with the new secretary of state and confirm with the county clerk that our processes are correct," Ackerman said. "When you register at the DMV, the registration goes to Little Rock. It doesn't go to the county."
Ackerman said the election went smoothly once some small "glitches" stemming from the redistricting done after the 2010 census were resolved.
Price said 66,147 ballots were cast, which is 50 percent of the registered voters in the county. The early vote reached 51 percent of the total number of votes cast, she said.
Commissioner Max Deitchler said the early turnout represents a positive trend for the county.
"What a swing from just a few years ago from 20 to 30 percent to over 50 percent."
NW News on 11/17/2018