By: Heidi Kirk
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Washington County Election Commission voted Sept. 15 to approve the transformation of Bud Walton Arena into an early voting center this year.
Any registered voter in Washington County can cast an early vote at the arena on the University of Arkansas campus. Votes can be cast from Oct. 22 through Oct. 24 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
ASG Director of Policy Coleman Warren said that the center has been in the works for over 12 years and the pandemic sped up the process because of the need for voting centers with ventilation for safe voting.
“This is more than that we want students to vote,” Warren said. We want people in Fayetteville to be able to vote safely.”
Warren said he thinks that this will motivate more students to vote because of the accessibility. He said he hopes that other students realize how much of a privilege this is.
“It’s a privilege to get to vote on this campus. I’m excited to vote on-campus even though I could drive to my hometown,” Warren said.
“Special thanks to the Election Commission, Director of Municipal Relations Billie Firmin, Dr. Mary Skinner, Athletics, Parking and Transit, former ASG agents including (but not limited to) Hope Davenport, Mariam Siddiqui, and Ryann Alonso, and EVERYONE who joined the fight to make this possible,” the group posted to its Facebook page on Wednesday.
The deadline to register to vote in Arkansas is Oct. 5 in person or postmarked by Oct. 5 by mail.
A list of additional voting centers can be found at washingtoncountyar.gov.