Absentee Voting

BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, GOVERNOR ASA HUTCHINSON MADE COVID-19 A VALID REASON FOR ANY VOTER TO VOTE ABSENTEE IN THIS COMING ELECTION. IT IS COMPLETELY UP TO YOU WHETHER YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING TO THE POLLS OR WHETHER YOU WISH TO VOTE ABSENTEE. 

If you choose to vote absentee, this is how to get started:

Step 1: Obtain an Application for Ballot- the download link is below for you to obtain the Application. 

Step 2: Tips to filling out the Application:

• If COVID-19 is your concern, you can check either the first or second box in number 1 on the form. You do NOT need to state anywhere on the form that COVID-19 is your reason for requesting an absentee ballot. This has been verified with the County Clerk. 
• In number 3 on the form, check the box “General Election/Non-Partisan Runnoff and General Election Runoff. This is the correct box to vote in the November 3, 2020 election.

Step 3: After you have fully completed and signed the Application form, you need to get that document  to the County Clerk. You can mail to the County Clerk at the address listed on the form. But you may also email the Application to:  jwilliams@co.washington.ar.us   A photo taken with your smart phone and emailed to that address also works. However, the entire form needs to be readable if you email a photo.

Step 4: The application must be received by U.S. mail or email by the County Clerk by October 27th at the latest. (There are still ways to vote absentee after October 27th but it will have to be by in-person delivery to the County Clerk’s office; call the County Clerk for details 479.444.1711).

Step 5: You will receive your ballot and instructions on how to properly vote that ballot from the County Clerk by regular U.S. mail. There is NO option to receive your ballot by email unless you are active duty military or reside outside the U.S. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT washingtoncountyar.gov (click on County Clerk). 

Early in-person voting begins on October 19th. So far, the only for sure site is the County Courthouse on College and Dickson. The Washington County Election Commission will release a list of other early voting sites by October 5th. According to Jennifer Price, Executive Director of Washington County Election Commission, there will be one site along the Wedington corridor. Updates on early voting sites can be found at votewashco.com.

Since 2016 in Washington County, you can vote at any Washington County polling location. You do not need to vote at the polling location designated for your precinct. So if, on election day, the polling location you normally vote at appears crowded, you can drive to another Washington County polling location. So for instance, even if you live off Mt. Comfort Rd., you could cast your vote at the polls in Prairie Grove or West Fork. This is potentially another way to vote and yet socially distance from crowds. The complete list of Washington County polling locations will be published by the Washington County Election Commission by October 5th. Updates on election day polling sites can also be found at votewashco.com.