5 judicial positions in Washington County likely decided by 73 voters  (AR)

Associated Press    06 May 2008

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Only 73 Washington County residents voted on the first day of early voting in the May 20th primary, unofficially electing five district judges whose names were not even listed on some of the ballots.

The election results were probable despite more than two weeks remaining before election day because the judicial candidates were unopposed, judicial races are nonpartisan, and at least one person voted on the five positions.

The candidates were mistakenly left off 27,000 Washington County ballots.

But the Washington County Election Commission says the mistake was discovered and a small batch of corrected ballots was printed in time for yesterday's early voting start.

A 2003 state law mandates that uncontested elections receive notice on ballots. It would have cost about $15,000 to reprint all the ballots.

Also, uncontested candidates cannot be elected unless he or she receives at least one vote, and at least one ballot had been cast yesterday for each of the candidates running for a district judge's seat.

Voters can use the county's electronic voting machines on election day if they want to cast a vote in 1 of the five uncontested judicial races.