They say knowledge is power. And increasingly, the resounding advice of going local is making a comeback. Now is the time to support local businesses and farmers, donate to local non-profits, and participate in local government. Many of these shifts are clear in purpose, actionable – but when the advice urges us to participate in local government, often there are crickets, hills, and valleys between us and our understanding of how the H.E. double-hockey sticks is done.
In Eureka Springs, we are often privy to bits and pieces, dramas, perhaps, around city council and different commissions. It can be tiring – make you feel like a cat tracking a ping pong game. More so, it can be easy to forget who and what is beyond that.
Enter: The quorum court – the county governing body that is maybe just outside your mental landscape. The quorum court is made up of elected representatives from different county districts, likened to city council members. Representatives on the quorum court are known as JPs – Justices of the Peace.
County districts can be vast areas, and vastly different in terms of culture or economy. The court is led by the county judge, much like the mayor leads city council. The quorum court creates county laws through the passing of ordinances, tends to the requests of the people, and most important, creates and oversees the county budget. Although perhaps not as glamorous as state and federal representation, these are the folks who make the decisions directly affecting our day-to-day lives. They fix our roads, shape our tree lines, monitor county offices and employees, designate funding to public services, and spend our property taxes.
Just about anyone can run for Justice of Peace. For JPs as well as most county offices, requirements are minimal. One must be a U.S. citizen, live within the county or the district which they represent, and not have a felony conviction.
The county judge is no different. You might think a county judge would require a law degree, at least. However, the county judge is more akin to a city mayor. Even the county sheriff, considered an administrative position, requires no law enforcement training prior to being elected.
On Monday, Carroll County opened filing for county offices and Justices of Peace. Those who file now will be placed on the ballot for preferential primary, non-partisan judicial (county offices), and school board elections, held on March 3, 2026. The March election will determine who makes it on the ballot for mid-term elections in November 2026. Filing takes place at 210 W. Church St., Berryville.
For Democrats and Republicans, the doors will remain open for filing through Nov. 12 at noon. For independents, filing will end Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. Below is the list of completed filings as of Nov. 3, provided by the county clerk’s office.
County Judge: Dianna Baird, R
County Clerk: County Clerk Connie T. Doss, R
Circuit Clerk: Circuit Clerk Sara Huffman, R
Sheriff: Sheriff Daniel J. Klatt, R
Tax Collector: Carroll County Collector Krista Burnett, R
Treasurer: Carroll County Treasurer Makita Williams, R
Assessor: Brittany Blok, R
Prosecuting Attorney, District 19-E:
Prosecuting Attorney Tony Rogers
Robert Beau Allen
Circuit Judge District 19-E, Division 1: Circuit Judge Charles Scott Jackson
JP Pos. 1: Sharon Lawler, R
JP Pos. 4: Luke Dignan, R
JP Pos. 6: Justice of the Peace Craig Hicks, R
JP Pos. 7: Kellie Matt, R
JP Pos. 11: Susy Stinebrickner
Central Township Constable: Todd W. Summers, R
- Democrats: Members of the Democratic party will be onsite to assist in filing Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To help in your decision, there are no incumbents running in JP Districts 1, 2 and 4.
District 1: Holiday Island
District 2: The area around Eureka Springs and Holiday Island, near the lakes.
District 4: Kings River, including areas in and around Berryville.
- Republicans: Members of the Republican party will be onsite to assist in filing Wednesday, Nov. 5 and Monday, Nov. 10 from 12-4 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Candidates wishing to file as a Republican should contact CCRC Chairperson, Shawna Writer (870) 480-8244 or Albena Link (479) 981-3601.
If you’re not sure what district you’re in, it’s on your voter registration card.
Candidate filing season runs through Nov. 12.