The general election in November poses consequential choices for Eureka Springs voters, including who sits at the city council table in January. All six seats are up for election every two years. To date, two aldermen have said they were running again, one said probably, one is undecided but has the paperwork, another is out of town and the sixth alderman’s seat was filled July 25 by Kristi Kendrick who said she plans to run in November.
According to Eureka Springs City Clerk/Treasurer Ann Armstrong, if a registered voter in Eureka Springs wanted to run for city council, that person would need to go to the county clerk’s office in Berryville and find election coordinator Sherry Cochrane. The politician will be given a packet that includes all necessary forms, including blank petitions.
Each prospective candidate must get a minimum of 30 signatures from registered voters in Eureka Springs. Armstrong said she urges any candidate to get at least an extra 8-to-10 signatures because some who sign might not be qualified electors.
Armstrong explained that Eureka Springs city council is comprised of two aldermen each from three wards, but the aldermen serve at large. The cityofeurekasprings.us site has the ward map of the city. Go to the City Council tab and download the voting map link to find out in which ward you reside. Or call Armstrong at (479) 253-9703 or the County Clerk at (870) 423-2022 to find out your ward.
Cochrane said the first date to file a petition is July 29 and all filings must be in before noon on August 19. She mentioned a candidate could already be getting signatures on the petition.
School board election
Cochrane said the final date to register to vote in the school board election is August 22. She said there would be no polls open for the election because all candidates are running unopposed. There will be only early voting or absentee voting. Early voting runs Tuesday, Sept. 13, through Monday, Sept. 19, and voters may come between 8:30 – 4:30 at the courthouses in both the western and eastern districts, but not on Saturday.
Registration up-to-date?
Cochrane also asked voters to make sure their voter registration information is current. Voters who have moved or changed names could take care of the update ahead of Election Day, and “this would help speed up the process during the general election. We want it to go as smoothly as possible for voters,” she commented.