Fulton County voters will decide the future of the sheriff’s office, several key county leadership positions and a proposed land annexation in Mammoth Spring when they cast ballots in the March 3 Preferential Primary.
The Fulton County sheriff’s race features three candidates, including incumbent Sheriff Jacob “Jake” Smith, who is seeking a second term after starting as a Fulton County road deputy in 2014 and later serving as chief deputy before becoming sheriff. Michael A. Eaton, a lifelong Arkansan and military veteran with 21 years of service and seven combat deployments is one of two challengers to Sheriff Smith. Wendell A. Lane, the second challenger, is a longtime Fulton County resident and 25-year law enforcement veteran, currently a detective sergeant with the Ash Flat Police Department, who also previously served as chief deputy coroner in Sharp County.
Two candidates are running for Fulton County judge. Heath Everett is a lifelong Fulton County resident who retired after 26 years with the Arkansas Department of Transportation and also served as Salem fire chief, firefighter and a reserve police officer. Jeremy Langston, a lifelong resident endorsed by outgoing Judge Kenneth Crow, works in county government and emergency management and is raising his family on the Langston farm.
The Fulton County assessor’s race includes incumbent Assessor Cari A. Long, who is seeking a second term, and challenger Jerry L. Barnes.
Tom Doty and Michael Thomas Rimbey are competing for the Fulton County coroner’s office.
In the race for Fulton County constable in Township One, incumbent Constable Clay Divelbiss is seeking the position and is challenged by Vernon Short and James (Jim) A. Griffin.
The Justice of the Peace District 6 seat is also on the ballot, with incumbent Marjorie Rogers seeking to retain her position and Angela Goodman running as a challenger.
School board races are also scheduled across the county. In Mammoth Spring School Board Position 4, Christopher Moore and Joe Flynn are candidates. Derek Winter and Craig Batterton are seeking Viola School Board Position 1. In the Highland School Board Position 2 race, Conway Spurlock and Jason Rhodes are on the ballot.
Voters in the City of Mammoth Spring will also weigh in on a special election issue asking whether to approve Ordinance 2025-06 to annex certain lands contiguous to the city limits along U.S. Highway 63 South, bounded by Trace Creek to the south, Wood Ridge Lane to the east, the current city limits to the north and U.S. Highway 63 to the west.
Early voting will be held at the Fulton County Courthouse Annex, 455 N. Main St., Salem, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 1720, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 21, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 2327, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 28, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 2.
Early voting will also be available at the Mammoth Spring Senior Life Center, 950 Archer Ave., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 27 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 28.
On Election Day, March 3, polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Fulton County Courthouse Annex in Salem, Mammoth Spring Senior Life Center, Viola First Baptist Church, Glencoe Fire Station, Gepp Fire Station and the Omaha Center in Cherokee Village.
A message from Pam Guiltner, Fulton Co Deputy Clerk,
The following 12 ballots contain all possible contests/candidates for Fulton County. Your particular ballot will depend on what party ballot you request, in what JP district you reside, and in what school district you reside. To see samples of the exact ballots you will be able to request at the polls, visit Arkansas Voter View.
Fulton County Sample Ballots
Fulton County Government Election Information
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