Austin McCollum charged in two Bentonville cases remains on ballot
Former state Rep. Austin McCollum faces criminal charges in two Bentonville cases as early voting begins. He stays on the local county judge ballot without any opposition in the race.
The charges stem from alleged domestic battery and stalking incidents involving his wife. McCollum has his next court date scheduled for Dec. 1.
He is running unopposed for the position. Unopposed candidates run with no valid opposition. Voters who select a straight Republican ticket cast a vote for McCollum.
Benton County Election Commissioner Kim Dennison explained how names appear on the ballot.
“All of the state candidates that are unopposed will be individually listed on the ballot,” Benton County Election Commissioner Kim Dennison said. “Any of your county or city races, with the exception of the circuit clerk or mayors, those will be individually listed on your ballot. But everybody else is just grouped together for that all unopposed candidates. And that’s all it says on your ballot. They are not individually listed out.”
Dennison noted that voters can skip unopposed candidates. The ballot will then print “no selection made.”
State law bars anyone convicted of a felony from serving in the role. A guilty plea also disqualifies a candidate. Current Benton County Judge Barry Moehring held a press conference last month. He outlined his intentions if McCollum does not take the oath.
County judges in Arkansas oversee general county business and maintain local roads. State laws determine candidate eligibility and govern oath requirements after an election. Vacancies prompt specific succession processes.
Election Day is Nov. 3. Sample ballots are available online through the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website. Bentonville voters can review their options there.
