All those people around the courthouse holding signs and yelling hellos and more interesting thoughts? That means it’s time to vote.
We’ll just say this up front. If it’s news to you that election day is Nov. 5, well, perhaps you should sit this one out on account of the rock you’ve been under is far too heavy to lift with the time remaining.
For the rest of you, it’s go time.
At the state level, there’s the state treasurer position that’s being decided on, as well as judicial races and the issues. Issue 2, we should point out, whether it passes or fails, has no bearing on the existence of Saracen Casino Resort here in Pine Bluff but has a lot to do with the casino approved years ago for Pope County.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
For local races, there’s more work to do. If you thought state Rep. Vivian Flowers was the mayor-elect, you would not be alone but you would also be wrong. She ran for the Democratic nomination for the position, eventually beating incumbent Shirley Washington in a runoff.
Because Arkansas holds its primaries in presidential election years in March, that’s so far in the rear-view mirror as to be invisible — almost. She now heads into the General Election to face a Libertarian challenger, John Fenley.
The other positions on the ballot include a seat on the Pine Bluff City Council from Ward 3. William Fells won the Democratic nomination, beating incumbent Glen Brown Sr. Fells, and now faces Colton Edwards, an independent.
There are also Jefferson County justice of the peace races, as well as a Pine Bluff School Board seat that is up for grabs.
Oh, and there’s a presidential election if that happened to escape you. If you also noticed, neither of the presidential candidates bothered to come to Arkansas, being as how the state is so red as to be a waste of time for both candidates. Perhaps that’s a blessing. We ran into a refugee from Pennsylvania over the weekend who said the political ads had driven him and his wife crazy. At least Arkansas avoids that.
Early voting is underway. There was a glut of people on Monday, but chances are things will taper off as the week progresses. That gives you an opportunity to go vote without the pressure of getting to the polls on Nov. 5. If, however, all else fails, the election judges will be smiling and saying hello at your very own precinct all day on the 5th.
So get your thoughts together, make some notes and head out. The process couldn’t be easier. And we all know what it feels like to get that little prideful tingle that comes when the election judge or assistant slaps an “I voted” sticker on one’s shirt. Go get yours today!