Graves vs. Bogy for DeWitt School Board Run-Off Election

A run off election for Dewitt School District Board, Zone 7 between 24-year incumbent, Kenneth Graves of Crocketts Bluff and Tim Bogy of St. Charles will be held Tuesday, March 31st, 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Due to the ongoing precautions being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners limited the polling places for this run-off election from 3 locations to only one. The Arkansas County Courthouse in DeWitt is the only location available to cast your vote for the DeWitt School Board Zone 7 run-off election. The Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners also mandated that each voter must have his or her temperature taken at the courthouse before voting. Voters are advised to observe appropriate social distancing measures when going to vote, and maintain a six-foot distance from others, if possible.

The Arkansas County Court House is currently closed to the public. However, Arkansas County Clerk, Melissa Wood, says the right to vote cannot be denied for any reason. These are unprecedented times, Wood says, and the goal is to limit everyone’s exposure to the Covid-19 virus while maintaining the integrity of our election process. Wood went on to say, we can change the methods of voting by combining polls, and limiting workers, absentee and early voting, but you can’t change an election process. We still have to have early voting, we still have to have absentee voting by mail or by bearer, and we still have to voting on election days.

Wood’s tentative plan for the runoff is to have a phone number posted on the front door of the courthouse for citizens to call when they would like to vote. Each will be met individually and allowed to enter, vote and exit the courthouse, one at a time, limiting exposure for everyone.

Only residents in Zone 7 of the DeWitt School District are eligible to vote in this runoff election. Zone 7 covers parts of McFall, Prairie, Crockett, Lagrue, Keaton, St. Charles, and Mill Bayou Precincts. Early voting will be available Tuesday, March 24th through March 30th. Polls will be closed Saturday, March 28th and Sunday, March 29th. 

To receive an absentee ballot, you must submit an application to Arkansas County Clerk, Melissa Wood via mail, fax, or email but it must be received by no later than Tuesday, March 24th: arcoclerkmelissa@centurytel.net or call (870)-946-4219.

If unable to mail, fax, or email your absentee ballot application by March 24th, you may request one in person or through a designated bearer from your county clerk so long as the request is made by close of business hours on March 30th. Please note that a designated bearer may only request two absentee ballots per election. Absentee ballots received by the County Clerk by 7:30 pm on March 31st will be counted.