Benton County voters will see a new Democratic contender on the ballot for the House District 8 special election scheduled for November 3, the same day as the general election. The county’s Democratic Party announced that Parker Stohlton has been nominated to run for the seat that became vacant after former Representative Austin McCollum resigned.
Candidate filings and election timeline
Republicans had already selected Kara Armas earlier this month, setting up a straightforward two‑candidate race. The special election winner will serve only until the winner of the November 3 general election is sworn in, at which point the seat will be filled for the full term.
County election officials are busy finalizing the ballot. On Wednesday, staff will proof the ballots to confirm that all candidate names are spelled correctly and that every race appears as required. Equipment testing for voting machines will begin in early September and continue for about three weeks, followed by training for poll workers before early voting starts.
Early voting and voter requirements
Early voting in Benton County is slated to begin on October 19. Voters must register by October 5 and bring a photo identification to the polls, as required by state law. Sample ballots and registration verification tools are available on the county’s website and the Arkansas Secretary of State’s VoterView portal.
Kimberly Dennison, Benton County’s election coordinator, urged residents to review all contests on their ballots, emphasizing that local elections directly affect daily life in the community.
Background on the vacant seat
Austin McCollum, first elected to the House in 2017, served as House Majority Leader in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2025. He resigned after being accused of assaulting his wife, a matter that remains under investigation. Despite his resignation from the House, McCollum remains the sole candidate on the ballot for the Benton County Judge’s race, a position that will be decided in the same November election.
Dennison explained that a candidate can only be removed from a ballot under limited circumstances, such as moving out of the district, serious illness, running for another office, or death. She referred questions about what would happen if McCollum won the judge’s race but declined to take office to Benton County Judge Barry Moehring.
What voters need to know
Residents who registered outside the county clerk’s office and have not received a voter registration card should contact the clerk’s office to confirm their status. The county’s election website provides a sample ballot and links to the state’s VoterView system for checking registration and viewing upcoming election details.
With the special election and the regular general election occurring on the same day, Benton County officials are working to ensure a smooth voting process for all races, from the state House seat to local judicial positions.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
