Election 2014: Party Primaries, Supreme Court Race On Tuesday's Ballot
LITTLE ROCK — A Democratic primary for governor and Republican primaries for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state treasurer and state auditor are among the races on the ballot for Tuesday's preferential primary and nonpartisan general election.
Also going to voters Tuesday are Republican primary races in the 2nd and 4th congressional districts and a nonpartisan race for a seat on the Arkansas Supreme Court.
In the governor's race, former congressman Mike Ross, formerly of Prescott and now of Little Rock, faces off with substitute teacher Lynette Bryant of Little Rock for the Democratic nomination, while former congressman Asa Hutchinson of Rogers and Little Rock businessman Curtis Coleman are vying for the Republican nomination. Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe is prevented by term limits from seeking a third term.
Three candidates are seeking the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor: U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin of Little Rock, state Rep. Debra Hobbs of Rogers and state Rep. Andy Mayberry of Hensley. The Republican nominee will face Democrat John Burkhalter in November.
The office has been vacant since Republican Mark Darr resigned in February after being fined $11,000 for ethics violations.
Voters also will see a three-way race in the Republican primary for attorney general, between North Little Rock lawyer Patricia Nation and Little Rock lawyers David Sterling and Leslie Rutledge. The GOP nominee will face state Rep. Nate Steel, D-Nashville, in November. Democratic Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is prevented by term limits from seeking a third term.
Two candidates are vying for the Republican nomination for state treasurer: state Rep. Duncan Baird, R-Lowell, and Saline County Circuit Clerk Dennis Milligan of Alexander. The GOP primary winner will face Democrat Karen Sealy Garcia in November.
Former Democratic state treasurer Martha Shoffner resigned in May after being arrested in a federal corruption investigation. She was convicted in March on federal extortion and bribery charges and is awaiting sentencing.
In the race for state auditor, state Rep. Andrea Lea, R-Russellville, and Ken Yang of Benton, the chief financial officer of a Benton restaurant, are competing for the Republican nomination. The GOP nominee will face Democrat Regina Stewart Hampton in November. Democratic state Auditor Charlie Daniels is retiring.
In the 2nd Congressional District, three candidates are seeking the Republican nomination: state Rep. Ann Clemmer, R-Benton, Little Rock banker French Hill and retired Army Col. Conrad Reynolds of Conway. The GOP primary winner will face Democrat Patrick Henry Hayes in November. The race is open because Griffin chose to run for lieutenant governor instead of seeking re-election to a third term.
In the 4th Congressional District, Hot Springs businessman Tommy Moll and state Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, are seeking the Republican nomination. The GOP nominee will face Democrat James Lee Witt in November. The race is open because 4th District U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Dardanelle, is challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor's bid for a third Senate term.
Voters also will decide a nonpartisan race for the Arkansas Supreme Court seat being vacated by retiring Justice Donald Corbin. The candidates are Little Rock lawyer Tim Cullen and state Court of Appeals Judge Robin Wynne of Sherwood.
Secretary of State Mark Martin has predicted that about 20 percent, or 344,588, of Arkansas' registered voters will cast ballots in the election.
Early voting began May 5. By Friday morning, 66,829 people had cast ballots at early-voting locations and 3,959 had voted by absentee ballot, said Laura Labay, spokeswoman for Martin.
Under Act 595 of 2013, which took effect Jan. 1, voters must show an approved form of photo identification at the polls.
"It's diver's license, passport, college ID, military ID, state or federal employee badge, concealed carry permit or the free voter ID card that you can get from the county clerk," Labay said.
A voter who does not show photo ID can cast a provisional ballot and will have until noon on the Monday after the election to show ID to the local county clerk or county election board so the ballot can be counted.
Absentee voters are required to submit with their ballot an approved form of identification, which can be a copy of current and valid photo ID, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing the voter's name and address.
Act 595 does not provide a way for absentee voters to correct the problem if they fail to submit identification with their ballot. Earlier this year the state Board of Election Commissioners adopted emergency rules to provide one, but Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox voided the rules, saying the board had exceeded its authority, and the state Supreme Court upheld that ruling Wednesday.
"If you don't have a copy of your ID with (an absentee ballot), then your vote does not count," Labay said.
Labay also said voters are encouraged to visit the secretary of state's Voter View website to check their voter registration data before heading to the polls.