Live coverage: Stay abreast of the 2022 elections with us

Republicans sweep Arkansas executive offices

Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge will trade jobs in January.

They were two of the Republican candidates for seven statewide executive offices, and all seven won handily Tuesday with at least 60% of the vote by the time a vast majority of the votes had been counted.

The Associated Press called the governor’s race for Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders shortly after the polls closed at 7:30 p.m., and all six remaining races shortly before 11 p.m.

Rutledge defeated Democrat Kelly Krout and Libertarian Frank Gilbert, and Griffin defeated Democrat Jesse Gibson.

Secretary of State John Thurston and Land Commissioner Tommy Land, both incumbents, held their seats against challenges from Democrats Anna Beth Gorman and Darlene Goldi Gaines, respectively.

Mark Lowery defeated Democrat Pam Whitaker to become state treasurer, and Dennis Milligan defeated Democrat Diamond Arnold-Johnson and Libertarian Simeon Snow to become state auditor.

Unofficial returns for all six races with 86% of the vote counted were:

Lieutenant Governor:

• Rutledge 540,959
• Krout 268,601
• Gilbert 31,225

Attorney General:

• Griffin 567,829
• Gibson 269,745

Secretary of State:

• Thurston 571,036
• Gorman 276,096

Treasurer

• Lowery 563,809
• Whitaker 278,907

Land Commissioner

• Land 582,119
• Gaines 259,947

Auditor

• Milligan 566,466
• Arnold-Johnson 246,491
• Snow 35,903

Incumbent Wynne leads in yet-to-be-called Arkansas Supreme Court runoff

State Supreme Court Justice Robin Wynne maintained a comfortable lead in the runoff for the state’s highest court early Wednesday.

While the race hadn’t yet been called, Wynne led Faulkner County Circuit Judge Chris Carnahan with 74% of votes counted. Unofficial returns were:

Wynne 421,190

Carnahan 299,807

Carnahan defied some norms in the supposedly nonpartisan race, claiming an endorsement from the state Republican Party.

Closely-watched Conway state House race undecided with razor-thin margin

There haven’t been many surprises in state legislative races tonight.

However, just four votes separate the candidates for state House District 56 in Conway.

The race has yet to be called, but with 99% of votes counted state Rep. Steve Magie (D-Conway) barely leads Republican challenger Trent Minner.

• Magie 4,039
• Minner 4,035
• Libertarian Howard Heffington 273

The races has been one of the most closely watched, and it was targeted by Republicans as a possible seat the GOP could pick up.

Voters reject Issue 1; Issue 3 still too close to call

Arkansas voters have rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the General Assembly to call itself into special session and set the agenda. Under current law, only the governor has that authority.

The Associated Press called the race at 11:20 p.m.

Unofficial returns with 79% of votes counted were:

Against 467,154

For 298,559

Meanwhile, Issue 3 remains a toss up. If approved, the constitutional amendment would prohibit state and local governments from burdening a person’s ability to practice their religion unless there’s a compelling reason to do so. If there is a reason, officials must act in the least restrictive manner.

In a statement, Family Council Action Committee executive director Jerry Cox said the results of the Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment vote is too close to call but his organization, which supports Issue 3, will make a statement on the final results as soon as possible.

Issue 3 is important because it pushes back against government overreach, Cox said.

“Over the years, courts have tried to reduce the free exercise of religion to nothing more than a freedom to worship at church,” he said. “Issue 3 makes it clear that you’re free to live out your faith in your everyday life.”  

About 13,450 more people have voted against Issue 3 than for it, according to the secretary of state’s office. If the measure fails, the religious freedoms currently guaranteed within the U.S. Constitution and the Arkansas Constitution will remain. If Issue 3 is approved, it will take effect Nov. 9.

Arkansas candidate Chris Jones tells supporters to continue the fight

Advocate reporter Tess Vrbin was at the Democrat’s election watch party, where he spoke after Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared victory.

“We are all God’s children and we will fight for all God’s children,” says Jones, a pastor and scientist from Pine Bluff.

“This was always about realizing freedom’s promise… when we’re actually free to fight with each other and not against each other.” #argov

— Tess Vrbin (@tess_m_vrbin) November 9, 2022

Washington and Benton counties election results

Hey, NWA. Here are some election results. ⬇️⬇️

Benton County: https://t.co/5KJL8SK20T

Washington County: https://t.co/O1fPUGwino#ARVote22 #arpx #arleg #ElectionDay @ArkAdvocate

— Antoinette Grajeda (@AG_Reports) November 9, 2022

Republicans Westerman, Crawford win re-election in Arkansas’ last two congressional seats

Incumbent U.S. Reps. Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs) and Rick Crawford (R-Jonesboro) were both re-elected to Congress on Tuesday.

Westerman defeated Democrat John White and Libertarian Gregory Maxwell in the race for Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race for Westerman at 10:44 p.m.

Unofficial returns with 90% of precincts reporting were:

• Westerman 130,242

• White 52,401

• Maxwell 12,088

Westerman was first elected to Congress in 2014.

Crawford defeated Democratic State Rep. Monte Hodges (D-Blytheville) in the race for Arkansas’ 1st Congressional District.

The AP called the race at 10:43 p.m.

Unofficial returns with 72% of precincts reporting were:

Crawford 111,649

Hodges 38,983

Crawford was first elected to Congress in 2010.

Democrat Jones not conceding race for Arkansas governor until ‘every vote’ counted

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones has addressed supporters in downtown Little Rock several times tonight, but so far, he has not conceded despite the Associated Press calling the race for Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders shortly after the polls closed at 7:30 p.m.

Just now: “Arkansas is a different place now because of what this campaign did,” says Dr. Jerrica Jones, the candidate’s wife.

“It’s not over yet. We’ve got to count every vote.”

Chris Jones then takes the stage to a great deal of cheering. #argov @ArkAdvocate pic.twitter.com/z4hepFjJwM

— Tess Vrbin (@tess_m_vrbin) November 9, 2022

Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Womack wins re-election in AR-3

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-Rogers) won re-election Tuesday night to Arkansas’ 3rd Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race for Womack at 9:37 p.m.

As of 10 a.m., unofficial results were:

• Womack 79,547

• Democrat Lauren Mallet-Hays 46,768

• Libertarian Michael Kalagias 3,664

Womack, the former mayor of Rogers and a retired Army colonel, was first elected to Congress in 2010.

Washington County Republican Party chair feels good about election outcome

Washington County Republican Committee chair Brian Lester says he’s feeling really good about local candidates’ chances.

Lester says he thinks Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the projected winner, will do a great job as governor. (1/2)#ARVote22 #arpx #arleg #ElectionDay @ArkAdvocate pic.twitter.com/kqhsdjf77w

— Antoinette Grajeda (@AG_Reports) November 9, 2022

Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill wins re-election in 2nd District

U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-Little Rock) was re-elected on Tuesday in Arkansas’ redrawn 2nd Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race for Hill at 9:05 p.m.

Hill was leading the race with 93,160 votes to Democrat Quintessa Hathaway’s 56,249 and Libertarian Michael White’s 6,617.

The Central Arkansas district was reconfigured by the state Legislature during the redistricting process, and it has been challenged, so far unsuccessfully, in court.

Hill, a former banker, was first elected to Congress in 2014.

Republican Brian Hester cautious but confident in District 22 state House race

House District 22 candidate Brian Hester started his night at a Republican watch party in downtown Fayetteville.

Hester says he’s confident but cautious because it’s going to be a tight race. (🧵1/3)#ARVote22 #arpx #arleg #ElectionDay @ArkAdvocate pic.twitter.com/kNTNk4bMuf

— Antoinette Grajeda (@AG_Reports) November 9, 2022

Sarah Sanders delivers victory speech in Little Rock

One of the Arkansans that Sanders mentions by name in her victory speech:#argov @ArkAdvocate pic.twitter.com/pR5Rk3YpdN

— Tess Vrbin (@tess_m_vrbin) November 9, 2022

Will Arkansas legalize marijuana tonight?

For many, the most interesting race in Arkansas tonight is whether the state will legalize cannabis for adult use.

It’s also expected to be one of the tightest contests in the Natural State.

We’re one of five states voting on recreational marijuana today, and we’d be the 20th state to legalize the drug.

The Issue 4 campaign has been so interesting because it really hasn’t been about whether most Arkansans want to legalize marijuana (polling suggests they do). It has been more about whether marijuana proponents are OK with a what national experts have told me is an amendment that includes “heavy-handed” handouts to existing medical marijuana companies.

Can a coalition of social conservatives and liberals who see Issue 4 as a monopoly in the making defeat it?

We’ll know soon enough, but public polling has not been favorable.

When Talk Business and Politics first polled the issue in September, it found 58% of 834 likely voters supported Issue 4.

Talk Business’ most recent poll in mid-October showed the margin has slimmed considerably, with 50.5% of the 974 likely voters surveyed in favor of Issue 4.

The Arkansas Poll, released annually by the University of Arkansas Political Science Department, found a shocking 41% support for Issue 4 among the 801 Arkansans it interviewed by phone during the second half of October.

But as one savvy pollster told me: “Polls aren’t elections.”

Stay tuned.

Washington County polls busy as vote deadline nears

Antoinette Grajeda returns to Northwest Arkansas after her whirlwind tour of the southern and central parts of the state to capture the election atmosphere.

Made it back to NWA!

All the Washington County vote centers I passed looked busy including Sequoyah United Methodist Church where the line is out the door.

Remember you just have to be in line by 7:30 in order to vote. #ARVote22 #arpx #arleg #ElectionDay @ArkAdvocate pic.twitter.com/nhcZTrvfIM

— Antoinette Grajeda (@AG_Reports) November 9, 2022

Newton County upgraded handicap access at voting locations, JP says

At her last stop before heading home to Fayetteville to wait on election results, Senior Reporter Antoinette Grajeda stopped in Newton County for this report.

Poll workers Becky Ricketts and Terry Traywick are checking in voters at the Newton County Cooperative Extension Service building in Jasper. (🧵1/6)

It’s one of 11 vote centers in the county. #ARVote22 #arpx #arleg #ElectionDay @ArkAdvocate pic.twitter.com/QWkLkByqdL

— Antoinette Grajeda (@AG_Reports) November 8, 2022

No lines, smooth voting around Pulaski County

Deputy Editor Hunter Field is out and about in Pulaski County, checking on the status of voting at various locations, and will be filing periodic updates.

Meanwhile, Debrah Mitchell, assistant chief deputy clerk in Clerk Terri Hollingsworth’s office, said in mid-afternoon that Election Day had so far proceeded uneventfully, other than the usual challenges. She described those as people showing up at the wrong voting location or having not reported a change of address.

There’s no line to vote right now at Dunbar Community Center in Little Rock. Cheryl Warden has been here since 7 a.m. holding a Joy Springer sign, and she plans to stay until polls close @ArkAdvocate #Election2022 #arpx #arnews pic.twitter.com/cOxGyd7u5b

— Hunter Field (@HunterCField) November 8, 2022

Craighead County voters deciding fate of library tax

Voters in Jonesboro and the surrounding county will determine whether the property tax that funds the  Craighead County Jonesboro Library will be reduced from 2 mills to 1 mill. The property tax is the library’s major source of funding.

The library stirred the ire of some residents in June 2021 with a display of books in the children’s section during LGBTQ Pride Month. Craighead Citizens Taxed Enough formed a ballot question committee and got a referendum to reduce the library millage on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Here’s a KASU-FM report on a debate about the issue at the NEA Political Animals Club.

https://www.kasu.org/politics/2022-10-31/craighead-co-jonesboro-public-library-funding-issue-featured-during-the-nea-political-animals-debate

Yell County bilingual poll worker stresses voter education

Alex Reyes tells Senior Reporter Antoinette Grajeda she’s seen about 20 Hispanic voters in Dardanelle so far today and is hoping for more.

Alex Reyes is the sole bilingual poll worker in Yell County.

She’s working at the Dardanelle Community Center polling location today and says she’s seen 15-20 Hispanic voters in her first 3 hours. She hoped for more participation. (🧵1/4)#ARVote22 #arpx #arleg #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/5k3z6U4tVd

— Antoinette Grajeda (@AG_Reports) November 8, 2022

Don’t forget to check your polling place!

Chris Powell, press secretary for the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office, said there hadn’t been any major election problems across the state as of about 1:30 p.m. 

He encouraged people to verify their polling places before heading out to vote. He said that one man at his polling place waited in line for about 40 minutes before being told his polling place had changed. 

You can check your polling place by using an online tool created by the Secretary of State’s office.

Once the polls close at 7:30 p.m., results will start to be posted on the Secretary of State’s office website, starting with early votes and absentee ballots.

First time voting? Not to worry! Learn the basic information you will need in order to vote on Election Day in Arkansas by watching the video below. #ARVote #TrustedInfo2022https://t.co/gQBrxCqJqJ

— John Thurston (@ARSecofState) November 8, 2022

Voting in Faulkner County running smoothly early on

Faulkner County Clerk Margaret Darter told Senior Reporter Antoinette Grajeda on Tuesday morning that voting was going smoothly so far.

Faulkner County Clerk Margaret Darter says things are running smoothly today, but that hasn’t always been the case this election season. (🧵1/7)#ARVote22 #arpx #arleg #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/YE9AgceEhm

— Antoinette Grajeda (@AG_Reports) November 8, 2022

GOP’s Sarah Huckabee Sanders votes Tuesday morning

Senior Reporter Antoinette Grajeda resumed her election journey on Election Day and observed Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Republican candidate for governor, vote and respond to a few questions.

Gubernatorial candidate @SarahHuckabee brought her family to vote at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ in Little Rock this morning. (🧵1/2)#ARVote22 #arpx #arleg #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/IEPwoHCvD5

— Antoinette Grajeda (@AG_Reports) November 8, 2022