Voters Must Cast Ballots Early
Early voting begins Tuesday, polling places for contested races open Sept. 16
Last updated Friday, September 5, 2008 9:52 PM CDT in News
By Lana F. Flowers
THE MORNING NEWS
Northwest Arkansas school district patrons must vote early or absentee to continue existing school district millage rates.
Most districts won't open polling places for the Sept. 16 school elections, as those districts don't have contested board races or millage questions.
State law requires voters to approve existing millage rates or they revert to the prior year's rate.
A mill is one-tenth of a cent and generates $1 in tax for each $1,000 of assessed property value. The assessed value is 20 percent of the appraised, or fair market, value.
The Rogers School Board voted not to pay for opening polling places because the district does not have a contested race.
If voters do not approve continuing the existing 38.7 mills, it reverts to the prior year's rate, which is 38.7 mills, said district treasurer Kathy Hanlon.
"And that's why we are not doing polling places," Hanlon said.
Other school districts not opening polling places for election include Decatur, Eureka Springs, Gentry, Gravette, Siloam Springs and Rogers. Voters can request applications for absentee ballots by phone or mail from the Benton County Clerk's Office, 271-1013 or visit www.co.benton.ar.us.
Benton County voters can cast ballots early at county clerk's office locations in Bentonville, Rogers and Siloam Springs.
Voters in the Bentonville and Pea Ridge districts must vote both to continue a millage and choose board members.
Bentonville district voters must ask for two ballots, one for school board races and one for NorthWest Arkansas Community College Board of Trustee races, said John Brown, Benton County Election Commission chairman.
Poll workers will remind voters about the two ballots, Brown said, but voters should ask for both ballots at early voting and regular polls.
Polls will be open for all Springdale school voters because there is a contested race for the at-large Position 2 seat between James McGinness and Jeff Williams. A portion of the Springdale School District is in Benton County, so a polling place will be open in Bethel Heights.
At A Glance
Uncontested School Board Positions
Benton County
• Dani Cypert, incumbent, Position 2, Gentry School Board.
• John R. Edwards, an incumbent running for a five-year term in Position 7 on the Gravette School Board.
• Louis Thomas, an incumbent seeking another five-year term in the Zone 3 seat on the Siloam Springs School Board.
• Donald Morgan Jr. was an incumbent for the Zone 2 seat on the Decatur School Board. However, there is no Decatur board after state education officials took over the district in July, due to financial problems. Morgan's name won't appear on the ballot since his board position no longer exists.
Carroll County
• Deborah Quigley Smith seeks the Position 1 Eureka Springs School Board seat.
• Charles Rusty Windle seeks the Position 2 Eureka Springs School Board seat.
• Kristie Bunch-Drebenstedt seeks the Position 7 Eureka Springs School Board seat.
• Jerry King seeks the Zone 1 Green Forest School Board seat.
Washington County
• Carol Heymsfield is an incumbent seeking a five-year term in Position 1 on the Elkins School Board.
• Wesley Stevens is an incumbent seeking a five-year term in Position 1 on the Farmington School Board.
• David VanBebber is an incumbent seeking a five-year term in the Zone 2 seat on the Springdale School Board.
Madison County
• Eddie Torix is a newcomer seeking the Zone 5 seat on the Huntsville School Board.
At a Glance
Where to Vote Early Beginning Tuesday
Benton County Clerk's Offices at Suite 217, 215 E. Central Ave. in Bentonville; 300 W. Poplar St. in Rogers; and 707 S. Lincoln St. in Siloam Springs.
Early voting in Washington County is at the Washington County Clerk's office in Fayetteville.
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