Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Nov. 26, 2024 – Voters showed up to the polls at 8 a.m. this morning as early voting for the Jonesboro mayoral runoff began.

Craighead County Election Coordinator Jennifer Clack said runoff elections typically see a few hundred people, but she was expecting to see closer to 2,000 voters with this election.

“We’ve had a real good crowd this morning and everyone was anxious to be here at 8 a.m.,” she said, noting that there had already been 135 voters by 9 a.m. “This is for a very important position in our city. Do your research, go online. They both have a lot of information online about them. Do your research, come in and we’ll try to get you through real quickly.”

Voters have to live within the city limits to vote in the runoff. Voters can visit VoterView.com to check if they live in city limits. If it lists your municipality as Jonesboro, you can vote in the runoff.

During the 2024 general election, incumbent Mayor Harold Copenhaver received 44.11% of the vote, while City Councilperson L.J. Bryant received 34.14%.

Voter Shelia Lachat said that she felt voting was going very smoothly this morning, but she felt it was a little slow.

Copenhaver and Bryant were near the polling center, waving at voters.

Copenhaver said he felt the runoffs were very important.

“It gives additional time for the voter to possibly understand more about each candidate when it comes to a runoff,” Copenhaver said. “I think there are distinct differences in both of us and so this is very important. It is the highest elected position in the city and it’s important that people do the due diligence. That’s where the runoff really provides individuals with that additional time to know their candidates.”

Bryant also noted the importance of the runoff.

“This is obviously what’s going to determine the election. Showing up the first time, we were certainly grateful for that. But you know, 55% of people in Jonesboro chose change in November between Jeremy Terrell and I. And Jeremy’s endorsed our campaign. So, I hope his supporters will come support us and hope our supporters come again. If they do, then hopefully we can pull this thing off next week,” Bryant said.

Both said they were not worried about low voter turnouts and hoped at least half of their voters would go to the polls.

Early voting will be from 8 a.m. and run through 5 p.m. this week and early next week, although the annex will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Saturday. Early voting concludes Dec. 2.

Voters can also vote on Election Day, Dec. 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Find information about polling centers here.