Jefferson County voters can began casting early votes in the May 22 joint party preferential primary election at 8 a.m. Monday morning at the County Courthouse, 101 W. Barraque in Pine Bluff.
Early voting has grown in popularity, especially with long ballots. More than 80 candidates are listed on the ballot in primary and nonpartisan judicial general election in races ranging from constable to presidenty county-wide.
Absentee ballots can be obtained from the office of the county clerk from 8:30 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday until May 21. Early voting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays, May 12 and 19.
The ballot order for contested races for White Hall, Redfield, Hardin and Jefferson communities:
President
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
John Wolfe and Barack Obama, Democrat, and Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, Republican.
Congress, District 4
Sen. Gene Jeffress, Q. Byrum Hurst and D.C. Morrison, Democrat, and Tom Cotton, Beth Anne Rankin and John Cowart, Republican.
State Supreme Court
Position 4
Raymond Abramson, Judge Jo Hart.
State Senate
District 27
Rep. Garry L. Smith and Rep. Bobby J. Pierce, Democrat.
State House, District 10
Dorothy A. Hall, Judge Mike Holcomb and Mayor Gene Yarbrough, Democrat.
County Judge
Ivan Deon Whitfield, Dutch King and Justice of the Peace Alfred Carroll, Democrat.
Incumbent justices of the peace in Districts 10 and 12 were not opposed, while constable races in Barraque, Jefferson and Washington townships will be decided in November the November general election.