Little Rock, Ark. – Pulaski County set a new benchmark for early voting in a midterm election cycle, with 20,125 voters turning in ballots during the first two days of the voting period. Monday’s turnout of 10,571 voters was nearly double the county’s opening‑day total for the 2022 midterms, according to the Arkansas Democrat‑Gazette.
Record‑setting turnout across the county
The surge was spread across the county’s twelve early‑voting sites. The William F. Laman Library in North Little Rock recorded the highest two‑day total with 2,461 voters, closely followed by First Christian Church of Sherwood with 2,428 ballots cast. The Jess Odom Community Center in Maumelle saw 1,948 voters, while Terry Library logged 1,918.
Community voices encourage participation
Local residents emphasized the personal and civic importance of voting. Horace Springer, a Little Rock voter and husband of state Rep. Joy Springer, said, “When it hits home, it’s time to go do something. And if you’ve got a voice, it’s in your vote.” He added that his vote matters not just for himself but for the broader community.
Pearlie Marbley, another early voter, urged young Arkansans to get to the polls: “Everybody, they need to get out and vote, please vote. If you’re 18 years old, please come out and vote.”
Democratic Party of Arkansas offers voter‑protection hotline
Outside the Maumelle voting site, Marcus Jones, chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, highlighted the turnout and reminded voters of the party’s voter‑protection hotline, 833‑DEM‑VOTE (833‑336‑8683). “It doesn’t matter who you’re voting for. If you’re an Arkansas voter, and something goes wrong, please give us a call,” Jones said. The hotline remains open during polling hours through Election Day, providing assistance with registration, identification, and other polling‑place concerns.
Early voting continues
Early voting in Pulaski County will remain open until 5 p.m. on November 2, with Election Day scheduled for November 3. Voters can locate their designated polling place via the state’s VoterView website or by contacting the county clerk’s office.
The strong early‑voting numbers reflect a community eager to exercise its constitutional right to vote, a cornerstone of both family stability and individual liberty. As the election approaches, county officials and local organizations continue to encourage participation, emphasizing that every ballot contributes to the health of Arkansas’s democratic process.
Original reporting: KATV Little Rock (local) — read the source article.
