The 2020 General Election with the U.S. president on the ballot is already impacting the Twin Lakes Area, as a result of action taken earlier this year by the Arkansas legislature.During the regular legislative session, Act 545 was passed leading to Arkansas joining 13 other states holding primaries in March in the years in which the office of President of the United States is on the ballot and a May preferential primary election in the years in which the office of governor is voted on.Only four other states will hold their caucus or primary before March 3.
Consequently, Baxter County and Circuit Clerk Canda Reese says many are surprised to learn two pieces of the 2020 election calendar are already open.
Reese says the first window on the 2020 election calendar closes at noon Thursday for nonpartisan prosecutor and judicial candidates submitting petitions without paying a filing fee to the Secretary of State’s Office.
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The second open window on the 2020 election calendar is for those seeking positions on school boards.
In 2017, the Arkansas legislature passed Act 910 moving the annual September school election to either coincide with the May preferential primary or the November general election beginning in 2018.
Most area schools opted to attach their board elections to the primary election. In 2018, the primary was held in May.
But, with the primary election moving to March in 2020, so will most school board elections.
Reese says this means for those planning to seek school board positions, the petition window is open.
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Reese emphasizes while school board candidates may begin securing petition signatures, they cannot submit these to the offices of county clerks until the nonpartisan filing period opens at 3 p.m. Nov. 4. The nonpartisan filing period for prosecutors and judicial candidates paying a filing fee also begins at 3. Earlier that day at noon, the party filing period opens.
Reese says in some cases individuals are serving their first year in office and are surprised to learn if they are planning to seek reelection, the filing period is quickly approaching.
The party filing period opens in just over six weeks and will include justices of the peace, constables, state representatives and some state senators.
Another change for this election cycle is this being the first year those serving in countywide positions will not be running for office. Those serving in countywide positions will be half way through their first four-year terms approved by voters in the 2018 general election.
Early voting will begin on Feb. 17, 2020. The deadline to register for the primary is Feb. 3.
Questions about the election calendar may be directed to the respective county clerk’s office. In Baxter County, the phone number is 870-425-3475.
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