FAYETTEVILLE -- Emily Sledge, a Democrat, is running against Becky Lewallen, the Republican incumbent, for Washington County clerk.
The clerk is the official bookkeeper of county government. Duties include handling voter registration, recording and issuing marriage licenses and some certificates, and keeping records for the Quorum Court, equalization board and circuit probate court.
Becky Lewallen
Incumbent
Republican
Age: 37
Residency: Fayetteville, lifelong resident of Washington County
Employment: Worked in the county clerk’s office since 2002
Education: Graduated, Elkins High School; attended University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Political experience: Serving third, two-year term as county clerk
Emily Sledge
Democrat
Age: 33
Residency: Fayetteville since 2007
Employment: Product manager at Tyson Foods
Education: Master’s of science in operations management, University of Arkansas; bachelor of arts in stage management from New Mexico State University Fayetteville
Political experience: None
Lewallen is running for her fourth, two-year term and has worked in the office for 16 years.
"I want to continue to pursue new technology and look for new ways to improve efficiency in the office," she said about why she is running for re-election.
Lewallen bought electronic poll books during her first year in office in 2013.
"This technology has paved the way to allow people to show up at any polling site in the county," she said. It also shortens the upload process after voting and eliminates many errors.
She recently bought a ballot-on-demand printing system.
"We are saving tons of money on printing costs, and we are eliminating waste," she said.
Also, the office recently switched to an electronic records filing system. Lawyers can file court documents online, which saves time and resources, Lewallen said.
"There's always room for improvement," she said. "We will be looking into taking credit card payments for all of the office. We continue to look into new ideas that would improve the voters' experience."
Lewallen keeps a close eye on legislation as much of what the county clerk does is mandated by state law, she said.
Sledge said she wanted to make an impact in her community and feels running for county clerk was the way to do that.
"I just felt really inspired and wanted to get involved," she said. "We need candidates and politicians who want to work together, and I am really invested in the people and listening to them."
If elected, Sledge would work on a long-term plan to increase outreach and voter registration, she said.
"Voter registration is key to our community and our democracy," she said. "I really feel like I've heard major concern about accessibility in rural areas. We need to focus on voter registration."
Sledge was surprised when she learned the office wasn't open late on the last day to register like other counties such as Benton County.
"I was very disappointed in the lack of forward thinking, and, as county clerk, would always look at ways to better serve the community and be better connected," she said.
She would look into adding more locations for residents to obtain the identification necessary to vote, she said.
"I want to make sure residents have the access they need and get them involved in the process so they are able to cast their vote and be heard," she said.
Sledge wants to add a Spanish language voter registration form online and make the online process easier for everyone to navigate and access forms quickly, she said.
"I think we are pretty basic right now," she said. "I'm asking, 'How can we take it above and beyond and not just play catch up?' We need a long-term vision that sets us up for success."
The county clerk earns $109,447 annually. The salary is based partly on state law and Lewallen's experience.
The election is Nov. 6. Early voting begins Oct. 22.
NW News on 10/15/2018