BENTON COUNTY -- Early voting for the Nov. 4 general election began Monday and ends Nov. 3. Voters from any part of the county can cast ballots at the three locations of the County Clerk's Office in Bentonville, Rogers and Siloam Springs. Saturday voting is available only at the County Clerk's Office locations and early voting Nov. 3 will also be available only at the County Clerk's offices. Voting hours vary according to location:
County Clerk's Office hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday from Monday through Oct. 31. Saturday voting hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Nov. 3. voting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Riordan Hall, 3 Riordan Road, Bella Vista. Voting hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday from Monday through Oct. 31
Gravette Civic Center, 401 Charlotte St. Gravette. Voting hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday from Monday through Oct. 31
Centerton Fire House, 755 W. Centerton Blvd., Centerton. Voting hours are 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday from Monday through Oct. 31
Source: Benton County
BENTON COUNTY -- Benton County election officials don't anticipate much trouble over the last-minute ruling by the state Supreme Court striking down a law requiring voters to show a photo identification at the polls.
"We'll just go back to the law as it was before Jan. 1, 2014," County Clerk Tena O'Brien said Friday. "Only first-time voters will be required to show voter identification."
The state Supreme Court, on Oct. 15, ruled Act 595 violated the state constitution by adding a voter qualification -- showing a photo identification -- to the list of requirements already in the constitution.
Voters will be asked for identification but may decline to provide any, O'Brien said. Early voting started Monday. The general election is Nov. 4.
"Our poll workers are still required to ask for identification," she said.
"However, if the person chooses not to show ID, the poll workers will just write 'No ID provided' in the book. It's not tracked; it's just noted."
The Election Commission on Friday approved an informational poster that will be displayed at all polling places in the county that alerts voters and poll workers to the requirements of the law in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision. The poster advises voters, "You will be required to state your name, address and date of birth. Election officials will ask to see identification, but you will not be required to show it."
Robby Tumey, election commissioner, objected to the illustrations used at the top of the poster, noting they show a variety of photo identification cards. The poster should be revised so no one is confused by the illustration, Tumey said.
Tumey said she'll work on a revised poster without the photo ID illustrations, but the commission voted to use the original poster when early voting began Monday and until a revised version can be produced and distributed.
General News on 10/22/2014