As of Tuesday evening, voters will still have to have a valid form of photo ID to cast their ballot during the May primary, for which early voting will begin next week.
Last week, a Pulaski County judge struck down the new law which would require voters to show photo ID at the polls. But Tuesday evening, the Arkansas Supreme Court issued a temporary stay on the order. A deadline of noon Friday has been set for briefs to be filed in the appeal, so an additional ruling could be expected either before or during early voting for May's primary election.
Representatives from the secretary of state's office said they are pleased with the stay.
As voters prepare to head to the polls, there are other preparations that need to be made, in addition to providing valid photo ID. Mississippi County's Election Commission is requesting that any voter who needs to make a change to their name or address do so before they come to their polling place during the election, as attempting to do so before signing in to vote creates unnecessary delays in the poll lines.
Also, it is the voter's choice which primary they want to vote in, whether they are registered as a Republican, Democrat or neither. A Republican may request the Democratic ballot in the primary, or vice-versa. However, if there is a subsequent run-off between two primary candidates, the voter may not then crossover and vote on the opposite ballot.
Early voting for the May primary will begin on May 5 and run through May 19. Early polling sites are the courthouse in Osceola, Central School in Blytheville, the Depot in Manila and the ANC college campus in Leachville. Early voting in Leachville will be held the week of May 5, and Manila's the week of May 12. Blytheville and Osceola will both have early voting for the whole period.
sharris@blythevillecourier.com