Marion City Council seat lone race in runoff

Hensley, Hardin will face off on Dec. 3

By RALPH HARDIN

ralphhardin@gmail.com

There’s little doubt that 2024 has been a long election cycle, but whether your choices won or lost, at least it’s over – almost.

While the Crittenden County Election Commission did certify the results of the Nov. 5 General Election last Friday, one race remains to be settled, and the commission is inviting voters in Marion to make one last trip to the polls to decided it.

In the contest for the Marion City Council Ward 1, Position 1 race, incumbent city councilwoman Kelsey Hensley will be facing Gene Hardin after no candidate secured a majority of votes (50%-plus-one) in the threeway race during the Nov. 5 vote.

Hensley received 2,281 votes (46 percent) to Hardin’s 1,344 (28 percent) votes. Austin Cates, who was also in the race, was eliminated from the runoff after garnering 1,284 votes (26%).

The runoff election is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 3, with early voting on November 26, 27, 29, and Dec. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no early voting on Thanksgiving or the following Friday). Early voting will take place at the Marion Junior High School Arena (801 Carter Drive, in Marion).

On Election Day, voting locations include the Junior High School Arena and the Tabernacle of God Baptist Church (1714 Hwy. 77, Marion). Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Turnout is projected to be very low in the runoff, as election fatigue, the holiday season and having only a single race to vote on could impact voter interest. Reminder: The runoff is open to all registered voters in the City of Marion, regardless of whether or not you live in Ward 1 or whether or not you voted in the previous election.

HENSLEY HARDIN