By: David Cox
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Trinity United Methodist Church and Sequoyah United Methodist church in Fayetteville, among others, will be polling places for the presidential election.
For those with no established residence in Fayetteville and with COVID-19 cases rising, it can be hard for voters to find time or feel safe in their precinct on November 3rd.
Michael Bilyeu, Treasurer for the University of Arkansas Young Democrats, said voting should be thought of as a top priority.
“Voting is always important,” Bilyeu said, “it’s important to have your voice heard, but there’s a lot of different chances for change this year.”
One alternative to voting in person is voting by mail with an absentee ballot. Bilyeu said that absentee voting is a good alternative to in person voting but that some may face issues when turning in a ballot.
“You have to get your ballot in by election day, which could be an issue with how U.S. mail is operating right now,” Bilyeu said.
To vote with an Arkansas absentee ballot you first have to fill out a request form and send it to your county clerk before a ballot can be mailed to you.
Becky Lewallen, Washington County Clerk, said mail in ballots will be issued to those who fill out forms citing COVID-19.
“You could check the box that says you are unable to attend the polls on election day because of illness, meaning COVID,” Lewallen said.
Bilyeu said if you do get a ballot and turn it in, make sure it is accepted.
“The issue is if they will accept those ballots,” Bilyeu said, “because they could say an absentee ballot is invalid for any reason.”
The deadline to request a ballot is October 27th, with the deadline to turn in an absentee ballot being November 3rd.