Attention Voters

The General Election for Hempstead County will be held November 05, 2024. The following Vote Centers will be open from 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.:

Hope:                 Hope Community Center                               
Ozan:                 Ozan Fire Station
Bingen:              Bingen Community Center                               
Patmos:             Patmos Municipal Fire Station
Blevins:              Word of Faith Church                                       
Saratoga:           Saratoga School
Cross Roads:     Cross Roads Fire Station                                  
Spring Hill:         Spring Hill Fire Department
Fulton:                Fulton Library                                                 
Washington:      Washington Fire Station
McCaskill:          McCaskill Community Center

Early voting will be held in the Conference Room on the second floor of the Hempstead County Courthouse at 200 East 3rd Street. Early voting will be conducted from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday beginning on Monday, October 21, 2024, and concluding at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 04, 2024. Absentee votes will be opened and counted at the Hempstead County Courthouse on November 05, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. The names of workers for the November 05, 2024 Election will be posted in the office of the County Clerk on October 11, 2024. Anyone who wishes to object to the service of one of these workers may do so by sending written notice to the Election Commission, P.O. Box 1420, Hope, AR 71801 or by delivering written notice to the Clerk’s office on the first floor of the Hempstead County Courthouse on or before November 01, 2024.

The following are the names in order as they appear on the ballots:

Federal                                                           

U.S. President
Donald J. Trump, JD Vance, Republican                             
Kamala D. Harris, Tim Waltz, Democratic                                                                     
Peter Sonski, Lauren Onak, American Solidarity                                            
Michael Wood, John G. Pietrowski, Prohibition                     
Robert F. Kennedy, Nicole Shanahan, Independent               
Jill Stein, Rudolph Ware, Green
Chase Oliver, Mike ter Maat, Libertarian                                

U.S. Congress District 04                                                 
Congressman Bruce Westerman, Republican
Risie Howard, Democratic    

State

State Treasurer
Michael Pakko, Libertarian
John Pagan, Democratic
Secretary of State John Thurston, Republican

State Senate District 03
Senator Steve Crowell, Republican

State Senate District 04
Jimmy Hickey Jr., Republican
Lonny Mack Goodwin, Libertarian

State Representative District 88
Tammy L. Goodwin, Libertarian
Dolly Henley, Republican

State District Judge District 38
Dana Stone
Bryce Allen Montgomery

Nonpartisan Judicial Runoff Election
Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker
Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood

County

Justice of the Peace District 3
Karmel Kuhn, Republican
Doris Brown, Democratic

Oakhaven Mayor
Les Patterson

Fulton Mayor
Tiffany Toliver
Henry Hale

Fulton Recorder/Treasurer
Frances Hendrix      

McCaskill Mayor
Kyle Sweat

Ozan Mayor
David Stallsworth

Ozan Recorder/Treasurer
Monica Stallsworth

Washington Recorder/Treasurer
Catherine Stuart Rowe

Unopposed Candidates
Justice of the Peace #1, James Griffin, Democratic
Justice of the Peace #4, Ed B. Darling, Republican
Justice of the Peace #5, Victor Ford, Republican
Justice of the Peace #6, Troy K. Lerew, Republican
Justice of the Peace #7, Steve Atchley, Republican
Justice of the Peace #8, C. David Clayton, Republican
Justice of the Peace #9, Jessie Henry, Democratic
Justice of the Peace, #10, Jay Lathrop. Republican
Justice of the Peace #11, B. Keith Steed, Republican
Bodcaw Constable, David Keith Cummings, Republican
Bois D’Arc Constable, Maurice Henry, Democratic
Deroan Constable, Reyn Brown, Republican
Garland Constable, Randall Hatfield, Republican
Ozan Constable, Becky Medlen-Billings, Republican
Spring Hill Township Constable, Jimmy F. Singleton, Republican
Wallaceburg Constable, Thomas Luke Everett, Republican
Watercreek Constable, Frankie Ingersoll, Republican
Board of Directors, The Southwest Arkansas Water District, William C. Coffee, Nonpartisan
City of Hope Director Ward 2, Kiffinea Talley, Nonpartisan
City of Hope Director Ward 3, Reginald Easter, Nonpartisan
City of Hope Director Ward 5, Trevor Coffee, Nonpartisan
Fulton Council Member Position 1, James Lamb, Nonpartisan
Fulton Council Member Position 2, Wanda Faye Koontz, Nonpartisan
Fulton Council Member Position 3, Melissa Oller, Nonpartisan
Fulton Council Member Position 4, Mary Hendrix, Nonpartisan
Fulton Council Member Position 5, John Pettit, Nonpartisan
Ozan Council Member, Rita Morrow, Nonpartisan
Washington Alderman District 1 Position 1, Dan Ford, Nonpartisan
Washington Alderman District 1 Position 2, Many O’Bryant Trevillion, Nonpartisan
Washington Alderman District 2 Position 1, Joshua Williams, Nonpartisan
Washington Alderman District 2 Position 2, Billy Nations, Nonpartisan

Annual School Ballot 

Springhill School Board
Danny Whatley

Annual School Millage

Springhill School District 41.8 Mill School Tax

The question to maintain the present school tax levy of 41.8 mills on the dollar of assessed value of taxable property located in this school district.  This represents no change from the previous year. The total tax levy proposed includes the Uniform Rate of Tax required under Amendment 74, 25.0 mills for maintenance and operation of schools, 0 mills for dedicated maintenance and operation millage (Capital Outlay/Current Expenditures) dedicated for purposes authorized by law and 16.8 mills for debt service previously voted as a continuing debt service tax pledged for the retirement of existing bonded indebtedness. The district may use surplus revenues produced each year by debt service millage for other purposes.

Constitutional Amendments Proposed by the People

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT REFERRED TO THE PEOPLE BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Issue No. 1
(Popular Name)
A Constitutional Amendment to Provide that Lottery Proceeds May Be Used to Fund or Provide Scholarships and Grants to Arkansas Citizens Enrolled in Vocational-Technical Schools and Technical Institutes.

(Ballot Title)
AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE THAT LOTTERY PROCEEDS MAY BE USED TO FUND OR PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS TO ARKANSAS CITIZENS ENROLLED IN VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.

Issue No. 2
(Popular Name)
An amendment requiring local voter approval in a countywide special election for certain new casino licenses and repealing authority to issue a casino license in Pope County, Arkansas.

(Ballot Title)
AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 100, § 4, SUBSECTION (I), TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CASINO LICENSES THAT THE ARKANSAS RACING COMMISSION IS REQUIRED TO ISSUE FROM FOUR TO THREE; AMENDING AMENDMENT 100, § 4, SUBSECTIONS (K) THROUGH (N), TO REPEAL AUTHORIZATION FOR A CASINO IN POPE COUNTY, ARKANSAS AND TO REPEAL THE AUTHORITY OF THE ARKANSAS RACING COMMISSION TO ISSUE A CASINO LICENSE FOR POPE COUNTY, ARKANSAS; AMENDING AMENDMENT 100 § 4, TO ADD SUBSECTION (S), PROVIDING THAT IF THE ARKANSAS RACING COMMISSION, OR OTHER GOVERNING BODY, ISSUES A CASINO LICENSE FOR A CASINO IN POPE COUNTY, ARKANSAS PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS AMENDMENT, THEN SAID LICENSE IS REVOKED ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS AMENDMENT; AMENDING AMENDMENT 100 § 4, TO ADD SUBSECTION (T), PROVIDING THAT IF A FUTURE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AUTHORIZES THE ISSUANCE OF A CASINO LICENSE IN ANY COUNTY OTHER THAN THOSE ISSUED NOW OR HEREAFTER FOR CRITTENDEN COUNTY (TO SOUTHLAND RACING CORPORATION), GARLAND COUNTY (TO OAKLAWN JOCKEY CLUB, INC.) AND JEFFERSON COUNTY (TO DOWNSTREAM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE QUAPAW TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA AND LATER TRANSFERRED TO SARACEN DEVELOPMENT, LLC), THEN THE QUORUM COURT OF EACH COUNTY WHERE A CASINO IS TO BE LOCATED SHALL CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION BY ORDINANCE TO SUBMIT THE QUESTION OF WHETHER TO APPROVE OF A CASINO IN THE COUNTY; AMENDING AMENDMENT 100 § 4, TO ADD SUBSECTION (T)(1)-(3), SETTING THE DATE FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION AND REQUIRING THE ORDINANCE CALLING THE SPECIAL ELECTION TO STATE THE ELECTION DATE AND TO SPECIFY THE FORMAT OF THE QUESTION ON THE BALLOT AS “FOR A CASINO IN [   ] COUNTY” AND “AGAINST A CASINO IN [  ] COUNTY,” AND, “THE QUESTION PRESENTED TO VOTERS MUST INCLUDE WHETHER OR NOT A CASINO MAY BE LOCATED IN THE COUNTY” – “A CASINO IS DEFINED AS A FACILITY WHERE CASINO GAMING IS CONDUCTED”; AMENDING AMENDMENT 100 § 4, TO ADD SUBSECTION (T)(4), REQUIRING THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO PUBLISH THE ORDINANCE CALLING THE SPECIAL ELECTION AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE SPECIAL ELECTION IS HELD; AMENDING AMENDMENT 100 § 4, TO ADD SUBSECTION (T)(5), REQUIRING A MAJORITY OF THOSE IN THE COUNTY WHO VOTE AT THE ELECTION IN CERTAIN COUNTIES WHERE A FUTURE CASINO IS PROPOSED TO BE LOCATED TO APPROVE OF THE CASINO AT THE SPECIAL ELECTION BEFORE THE ARKANSAS RACING COMMISSION, OR OTHER GOVERNING BODY, MAY ACCEPT ANY APPLICATIONS FOR A CASINO LICENSE IN THAT COUNTY; MAKING THIS AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE ON AND AFTER NOVEMBER 13, 2024; PROVIDING THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AMENDMENT ARE SEVERABLE IN THAT IF ANY PROVISION OR SECTION OF THIS AMENDMENT OR THE APPLICATION THEREOF TO ANY PERSON OR CIRCUMSTANCE IS HELD INVALID, SUCH INVALIDITY SHALL NOT AFFECT ANY OTHER PROVISION OR APPLICATION THAT CAN BE GIVEN EFFECT WITHOUT THE INVALID PROVISION OF APPLICATION; AND REPEALING ALL LAWS OR PARTS OF LAWS IN CONFLICT WITH THIS AMENDMENT. 

Issue No. 3
(Popular Name)
Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024

(Ballot Title)
THIS AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION EXPANDS ACCESS TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA BY QUALIFIED PATIENTS UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAL MARIJUANA AMENDMENT OF 2016, AMENDMENT 98 AND RATIFIES AND AFFIRMS THAT AMENDMENT AS ORIGINALLY ADOPTED AND AS AMENDED BY ANY LEGISLATIVE ACT, EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 2(4)(B) TO DEFINE “CULTIVATION FACILITY” AS INCLUDING SALE AND DELIVERY OF USABLE MARIJUANA TO A PROCESSOR; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 2(12) TO REPLACE THE DEFINITION OF “PHYSICIAN” WITH “HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER,” WHICH INCLUDES MEDICAL AND OSTEOPATHIC DOCTORS, NURSE PRACTICIONERS, PHYSICIANS’ ASSISTANTS, AND PHARMACISTS AND TO REMOVE REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL CONTROLLED-SUBSTANCES REGISTRATION; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, §§ 4(F), 5(A)(1), 5(F)(1), 5(H), AND 15 TO REPLACE REFERENCES TO PHYSICIANS WITH REFERENCES TO HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 2(13)(C) TO ADD LANGUAGE TO THE DEFINITION OF “QUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITION” TO INCLUDE ANY CONDITION NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN AMENDMENT 98 THAT A HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER CONSIDERS DEBILITATING TO A PATIENT THAT MIGHT BE ALLEVIATED BY THE USE OF USABLE MARIJUANA; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 2 (14)(A) TO ALLOW NON-ARKANSAS RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARDS IN THE SAME WAY AS ARKANSAS RESIDENTS; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 2(17) TO DEFINE “USABLE MARIJUANA” AS CANNABIS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES INCLUDING ALL PARTS OF THE PLANT CANNABIS SATIVA, WHETHER GROWING OR NOT, INCLUDING ANY SEEDS, RESIN, COMPOUND, MANUFACTURE, SALT, DERIVATIVE, MIXTURE, ISOMER OR PREPARATION OF THE PLANT, INCLUDING TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL AND ALL OTHER CANNABINOL DERIVATIVES, AND TO EXCLUDE HEMP WITH A DELTA-9 TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL CONCENTRATION OF NOT MORE THAN 0.3 PERCENT ON A DRY WEIGHT BASIS; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 2(19) TO REMOVE LANGUAGE REQUIRING A PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP FROM THE DEFINITION OF “WRITTEN CERTIFICATION” AND TO ALLOW ASSESSMENTS IN PERSON OR BY TELEMEDICINE; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 3(E) TO ALLOW LICENSED DISPENSARIES TO RECEIVE, TRANSFER, OR SELL MARIJUANA SEEDLINGS, PLANTS, OR USABLE MARIJUANA TO AND FROM ARKANSAS-LICENSED CULTIVATION FACILITIES, PROCESSORS, OR OTHER DISPENSARIES, TO ACCEPT MARIJUANA SEEDS, SEEDLINGS, OR CLONES FROM ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO POSSESS THEM, AND TO SELL USABLE MARIJUANA, MARIJUANA SEEDLINGS, PLANTS OR SEEDS TO QUALIFYING PATIENTS AND DESIGNATED CAREGIVERS; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 3(H) TO REMOVE LANGUAGE ALLOWING PROFESSIONAL LICENSING BOARDS TO SANCTION A PHYSICIAN FOR IMPROPER EVALUATION OF A PATIENT’S MEDICAL CONDITION OR FOR VIOLATING THE STANDARD OF CARE; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, §3(1) TO REMOVE AUTHORIZATION FOR DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RULES CONCERNING VISITING QUALIFYING PATIENTS OBTAINING MARIJUANA FROM A DISPENSARY; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 4(A)(4)(A) TO REQUIRE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ALL APPLICANTS SEEKING TO SERVE AS DESIGNATED CAREGIVERS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PARENTS OR GUARDIANS OF MINORS WHO ARE QUALIFYING PATIENTS APPLYING TO SERVE AS DESIGNATED CAREGIVERS FOR THOSE MINORS; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 5(A)(2) TO REMOVE LANGUAGE REQUIRING REASONABLE REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARD APPLICATION FEES OR RENEWAL FEES; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 5(D) TO EXTEND THE EXPIRATION DATE OF REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARDS FROM ONE TO THREE YEARS AND TO ADD TWO ADDITIONAL YEARS TO THE EXPIRATION DATE OF EXISTING CARDS; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 8(E)(8) TO REMOVE AND REPLACE ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS WITH RESTRICTIONS FOR DISPENSARIES, PROCESSORS, AND CULTIVATION FACILITIES NARROWLY TAILORED TO PREVENT ADVERTISING AND PACKAGING FROM APPEALING TO CHILDREN AND TO REQUIRE THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL TO MAKE RULES THAT REQUIRE PACKAGING THAT CANNOT BE OPENED BY A CHILD OR THAT PREVENTS READY ACCESS TO TOXIC OR HARMFUL AMOUNTS OF THE PRODUCT; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 8(M)(1)(A) TO REMOVE PROHIBITIONS ON DISPENSARY-PROVIDED PARAPHERNALIA REQUIRING COMBUSTION OF MARIJUANA; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 8(M)(4)(A)(II) TO ALLOW CULTIVATION FACILITIES TO SELL MARIJUANA IN ANY FORM TO DISPENSARIES, PROCESSORS, OR OTHER CULTIVATION FACILITIES; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 16 TO REPLACE ITS CURRENT LANGUAGE WITH A WAIVER OF STATE SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY SO THAT A LICENSED PERSON OR ENTITY MAY SEEK INJUNCTIVE RELIEF IN THE EVENT THAT STATE FAILS TO FOLLOW AMENDMENT 98; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98, § 21 TO REMOVE A PROHIBTIION ON THE GROWING OF MARIJUANA BY QUALIFYING PATIENTS AND DESIGNATED CAREGIVERS AND TO ALLOW SUCH GROWING UNDER AMENDMENT 98; REPEALING AMENDMENT 98, §§ 23 AND 26 IN THEIR ENTIRETY; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98 TO ALLOW QUALIFYING PATIENTS OR CAREGIVERS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD AND IN POSSESSION OF A VALID REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARD TO POSSESS, PLANT, DRY, AND PROCESS MARIJUANA PLANTS IN LIMITED QUANTITIES AND SIZES AT THEIR DOMICILE SOLELY FOR THE PERSONAL USE OF THE QUALIFYING PATIENT, TO PROHIBIT SALE, BARTERING, AND TRADE OF SUCH MARIJUANA PLANTS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR REGULATION OF SUCH ACTIVITIES BY THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL DIVISION; AMENDING AMENDMENT 98 TO ALLOW POSSESSION BY ADULTS OF UP TO ONE OUNCE OF USABLE MARIJUANA, TO ALLOW SALE OF MARIJUANA BY LICENSED CULTIVATION FACILITIES AND DISPENSARIES FOR ADULT USE IF CURRENT FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITING SUCH ACTIVITIES CHANGES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL OF MARIJUANA BY LICENSED CULTIVATION FACILITIES AND DISPENSARIES BY THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL DIVISION; AMENDING ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 5, § 1, TO PROVIDE THAT UNLESS PROVIDED IN SUCH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, NO CONSTIUTIONAL AMENDMENT SHALL BE AMENDED OR REPEALED UNLESS APPROVED BY THE PEOPLE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION; PROVIDING THAT THIS AMENDMENT’S PROVISIONS ARE SEVERABLE, NULLIFYING ANY PROVISION OF STATE LAW IN CONFLICT WITH THIS AMENDMENT; AND PROVIDING THAT THE AMENDMENT IS SELF-EXECUTING.

Local Measurers

City of Hope Issue 4

0.125% SALES AND USE TAX 

Adoption of a 0.125% local sales and use tax within the City of Hope, the net collections of which remaining after deduction of the administrative charges of the State of Arkansas and required rebates will be used for the following: (a) to acquire, construct, improve, expand, equip, furnish, operate and maintain park and recreational facilities, including any necessary land acquisition and utility, road and parking improvements related thereto or in support thereof and (b) to pay and secure the repayment of bonds approved by the voters and issued by the City from time to time to finance capital improvements.  The levy of the tax is not dependent on any bonds being approved or issued, and if no bonds are approved and issued, the net collections of the tax will only be used for the purposes described in clause (a) above.

If bonds for one or both of the purposes set forth below are approved, there will be levied within the City a new 0.875% sales and use tax (the "Bond Tax"), the net collections of which remaining after deduction of the administrative charges of the State of Arkansas and required rebates, shall be used solely to retire the bonds and obligations of the City with respect thereto.  The rate of taxation will not exceed 0.875% even if both purposes are approved.  The Bond Tax will expire after the bonds have been paid or provision is made therefor in accordance with Arkansas statutes.  In order to provide additional funds to pay or to further secure repayment of the bonds, the City may also pledge to the bonds the net collections of an additional City-wide 0.125% sales and use tax if such tax is separately approved by the voters.  The bonds described below may be combined into a single issue or the bonds may be issued in series from time to time.

City of Hope Issue 5

FIRE IMPROVEMENT BONDS

Bonds of the City of Hope in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $3,520,000 for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the costs of facilities, equipment and apparatus for the fire department, including particularly, without limitation, a new fire station and any equipment, furnishings, parking, street, lighting and utility improvements related thereto, and, in order to pay the bonds, the levy and pledge of a 0.875% local sales and use tax within the City. 

City of Hope Issue 6

PARK AND RECREATIONAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS

Bonds of the City of Hope in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $28,830,000 to finance all or a portion of the costs of acquiring, constructing, furnishing and equipping park and recreational facilities and improvements, including particularly, without limitation, a new multi-purpose recreation and aquatic center and improvements to existing parks, including particularly, without limitation, the construction of a splash pad at Northside Park, soccer field renovations, the construction of new pickle ball courts, tennis court renovations, and any necessary land acquisition, parking, landscaping, signage, drainage, lighting and utility improvements related thereto and, in order to pay the bonds, the levy and pledge of a 0.875% local sales and use tax within the City.