Election Day 2018 has finally arrived.
At the local level in Baxter County, topping the list in dollars spent is the three-way race for mayor of Mountain Home.
On the opening day of the filing period, Hillrey Adams, Dave Almond and Nancy Osmon all tossed their hats into the race. All have previously announced their intentions to seek the seat being vacated by Mayor Joe Dillard, who announced in February he would not be seeking re-election.
Two races developed on the Mountain Home City Council. In the final hours prior to the closing of the filing period for nonpartisan municipal-level candidates, Clint Czeschin entered the race for the Ward 2, Position 1 seat held by Jennifer Baker. Baker has already filed for re-election.
Earlier in the filing period, a race developed for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat between incumbent Carl Graves and challenger Bob Van Haaren.
In the lone county race, quorum court justice of the peace for District 8 Republican Edna Fusco is being challenged by Democrat Shane Tilley.
At Cotter, McGeorge “Mac” Caradine and Roland Morris are seeking the mayor’s position being vacated by Peggy Hammack, who did not seek re-election.
Carolyn Gill and Nathan Buck are running for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat, while Charles “Chuck” Sugg and Thurman Williams are seeking the Ward 2, Position 1 seat.
Two other races for the Cotter City Council are between John Bell and Schuyler Brown, who are seeking the Ward 2, Position 2 seat, and Wayne Alexander and Richard Gipson, who are running for the Ward 3, Position 2 position.
In Marion County, Bull Shoals Mayor David Nixon is being challenged by James “Jamie” Rhodes.
Also in Bull Shoals, there are three contested city council races. Joey Grede and Michael Williams are seeking the Ward 1, Position 2 seat, Richard Belt and Lynn Nickels are seeking the Ward 2, Position 1 seat and Dino Gianini and Bruce Powell are seeking the Ward 2, Position 2 seat.
There are two contested seats on the Marion County Quorum Court. Republican Talon Vancurren is challenging Democrat Russell Stockdale for the JP District 3 seat and Republican Rick White is challenging Democrat Carl McBee for the JP District 4 Position.
At the state level, Republican State Senator Scott Flippo is being challenged by Libertarian Kevin Vornheder for the District 17 seat covering parts of Baxter, Marion and Boone counties.
Across Arkansas, voters are being asked to cast their ballots for either incumbent Justice Courtney Goodson on the Arkansas Supreme Court and challenger David Sterling.
Voters will see five state-wide issues on their ballots. However, since the time ballots were printed, two of the issues have been pulled by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Ballots will be counted for Issue Number 2, Requiring Photo ID to Vote; Issue Number 4, Arkansas Casino Gaming; and Issue Number 5, Increasing the Arkansas Minimum Wage.
There are also seven constitutional offices with races. Incumbent Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson faces Democrat Jared Henderson and Libertarian Mark West.
Incumbent Republican Lt. Governor Tim Griffin faces Democrat Anthony Bland and Libertarian Frank Gilbert.
Incumbent Republican Attorney General Leslie Rutledge faces Democrat Mike Lee and Libertarian Kerry Hicks.
In the open race for Secretary of State, Republican Commissioner of State Lands John Thurston, Democrat Susan Inman and Libertarian Christopher Olson hope to fill the seat being vacated by the term limited Mark Martin.
Incumbent Republican Auditor Andrea Lea faces Libertarian David Dinwiddle.
Incumbent Republican Treasurer Dennis Milligan faces Libertarian Ashley Ewald.
In the open race for Commissioner of State Lands, Republican Tommy Land, Democrat Larry Williams and Libertarian T.J. Campbell hope to fill the seat being vacated by the term limited John Thurston.
At the federal level, in the First Congressional District, Republican incumbent Rick Crawford faces Democrat Chintan Desai and Libertarian Elvis Presley.
In the Third Congressional District, Republican incumbent Steve Womack faces Democrat Joshua Mahony and Libertarian Michael Kalagias.
This is the first election for Baxter County to utilize vote centers. Voter centers are open Tuesday at the Baxter County Courthouse, Big Flat City Hall, Christ Community Church (also known as C3) in the Twin Lakes Plaza, East Side Baptist Church in Mountain Home, the Henderson Fire Department, Lone Rock Baptist Church, the Charles R. Newton Emergency Services Center in Midway, the Northeast Lakeside Fire Department, Norfork Baptist Church, the Salesville Community Center and Wesley United Methodist Church in Cotter. Registered voters in Baxter County may cast their ballot at the vote center of their choice.
Polls are open from 7:30 until 7:30 Tuesday in Arkansas.
In Missouri, polls are open 6:00 until 7:00.
In the lone locally contested issue in Ozark County, patrons of the Gainesville School District are considering a millage increase.
KLTO, Classic Hits and The Boot will have complete election returns Tuesday evening. Returns will also be available at ktlo.com/electioncentral.
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