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How does the runoff process work in Arkansas?

Multiple races across Arkansas are headed to runoffs, including the Fayetteville mayoral race.

ARKANSAS, USA — Arkansans made their ways to the polls to cast their ballots in a number of national, state, and local races through early voting and on Election Day. But now they could be headed back to their local voting center come the end of the month. 

Jennifer Price, Director of Elections in Washington County, said there is a state law regarding which races can go to a runoff. It happens when races have more than two candidates in the running. 

"There is a rule in the state that allows for municipal races to be won by 40% and then you have to beat your next closest opponent by 20 percent," Price said. 

This scenario happened for a few different races, including the race for Fayetteville mayor, which was a crowded one with four candidates. 

"When you have a four way race, it really is kind of difficult for just one person to pull ahead and win, and that's part of the reason we have that 40/20 rule," Price said. 

Unofficial results show Incumbent Mayor Lioneld Jordan receiving 46.92% of the votes while challenger Molly Rawn received 36.42% of the votes. As Mayor Jordan did receive more votes, he only beat Rawn by 10 percent. To win the race, he needed to lead by 20 percent.

Now, these two will be back on the ballot. Price said early voting begins Tuesday, Nov. 26 through Monday, Dec. 2 at the Washington County Courthouse from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

The site will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Election Day is Dec. 3. All voting centers that were open in Fayetteville for the general election will be open. 

"Because you have such a tight turnaround, because it's during Thanksgiving, you know, you typically see very low voter turnout, so when we're looking at this runoff election, it's really going to be which candidate can get the most votes out in order to win," Price said. "With a mayor's race, you're gonna have a lot more interest in that race, and so you'll probably get a little bit higher percentage than you normally do. But the nice thing for a runoff election, even if we do see a high voter turnout, the ballot is quick." 

Races heading to runoff elections

In Washington County, other races going to runoffs are for the Fayetteville City Council Ward 4, Position 2 spot between Monique Jones and Todd Hertzberg. Prairie Grove will also have a runoff for their Ward 1 Position 2 spot between Audrey Wetzel and Brian Hawkins. 

In Benton County there's quite a few races that are going to a runoff. 

For Bella Vista City Council Ward 1, Position 2, Jerry Snow and Travis Harp will be battling for that seat as well as Doug Fowler and Anna Isbell for the city's Ward 3 Position 1 seat. 

In Pea Ridge, Steven Guthrie and Wendy Harding will be on the runoff ballot for the city council Ward 2 Position 1 title. 

In Rogers, Margaret Wolf and Carissa Cummings will be going to a runoff for Ward 2 Position 2 and Hayes Minor and Alicia Hayes will be vying it out for Ward 3 Position 2. 

In Siloam Springs, Reid Carroll and Kevin Williams will be on the ballot for Director for Position 5 and Brad Burns and Mark Long will be on the ballot for Director for Position 6.  

And in Sebastian County, the Fort Smith City Director Ward 3 Position 3 spot is up for grabs. Candidates on the ballot are Lee Kemp and Russell E. Bragg. 

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