Early voting is now underway in Arkansas and Texas ahead of the states’ fast-approaching presidential primary elections on March 5. Both states, along with Oklahoma, are among the 13 states holding their primaries, along with three states holding caucuses on Super Tuesday. It is the most states to vote on a single day in this election cycle. Roughly one-third of all the delegates to the presidential nominating conventions can be won on that day.
Beyond the Arkansas 2024 Presidential Primary, the election will also decide the Chief Justice race on the Arkansas state Supreme Court. Several positions on the Arkansas Court of Appeals are also on the ballot.
County clerk Terri Hollingsworth, in Pulaski County, Tells Arkansas Public Radio that voters need to have proper identification with them when they get to a voting center to cast their ballot. Such identification must show the name and address of the voter and include a current and valid photo I.D., or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document. If you are unable to present the proper identification, the election official will instruct you on voting a Provisional Ballot.
Hollingsworth adds, “Another thing I want them to know is, they can go on VoterView and the can find their sample ballot, when they go to VoterView. They have to put their name, their first name, their last name, and their date of birth. And then it will pull up a sample ballot. I certainly want them to get a vote ready. I hope they’re registered so that they can participate in this election. And then, you know, I want them to plan their vote. I want them to take as many people [as possible] with them, and then certainly votes [sic].”
You can find VoterView on the Secretary of State’s website. Arkansas has a closed primary election, which means voters must choose to cast a Republican, Democratic or non-partisan ballot. Hollingsworth wants people to know that if they choose a non-partisan ballot, it only has the judge races on it. Early voting in Arkansas runs through Monday, March 4, with Election Day on Tuesday, March 5. Nearby voting centers can be found on your voter registration card.
Meanwhile, in Texas, early voting will wrap-up on Friday, March 1. In Oklahoma, early voting is available Thursday, February 29, and Friday, March 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and on Saturday, March 2, early voting runs from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
In Louisiana, the presidential primary election takes place on Saturday, March 23. Early voting begins Saturday, March 9 and ends the following Saturday, March 16.
