Ozan, Arkansas Public Records

Applicants must provide their Arkansas driver's license number or state-issued ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. At the polls, Arkansas requires photo identification, with acceptable forms including an Arkansas driver's license, concealed carry permit, U.S. Passport, employee ID from an accredited Arkansas college, or a voter verification card issued by Hempstead County Clerk. As an unincorporated community, Ozan doesn't hold municipal elections for mayor or city council. Residents participate in county, state, and federal elections instead. Hempstead County holds elections for County Judge, who serves as chief executive officer of county government, along with Sheriff, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Assessor, Treasurer, Coroner, Justices of the Peace representing various districts, and other county offices. These positions typically appear on the ballot in general elections during even-numbered years, with most county offices following four-year terms. Voters can find their assigned polling location through the Arkansas Voter View portal at https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview or by contacting the Hempstead County Clerk's office directly. Polling places are assigned by precinct boundaries, and voters must cast ballots at their designated location on Election Day unless they vote early or absentee. Early voting in Arkansas runs for 15 days prior to any election at locations designated by Hempstead County Clerk, typically Hempstead County Courthouse or clerk's office. In the November 2024 presidential election, Hempstead County recorded significant voter participation consistent with its conservative-leaning electorate. County turnout typically ranges between 50-60% of registered voters in presidential cycles. Specific turnout data is available through the Arkansas Secretary of State's election results portal at https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AR. Arkansas will hold elections for all four U.S. House seats - Ozan is in Arkansas's 4th Congressional District - along with all Arkansas State Senate seats (the community is in State Senate District 4) and all Arkansas State House seats (Ozan is in State House District 21). Various county offices will also appear on the ballot depending on term expiration schedules. There is no U.S. Voters should verify which specific county offices are on the 2026 ballot by checking with the Hempstead County Clerk closer to the election date. Any local ballot measures, tax proposals, or bond issues would also appear on the ballot. Arkansas law provides for absentee voting under specific circumstances or for any voter during the early voting period. Voters can request an absentee ballot application from the Hempstead County Clerk or download it from the Secretary of State's website. Completed applications must be submitted to Hempstead County Clerk, and marked ballots must be returned by the close of polls on Election Day. Arkansas doesn't offer universal mail-in voting; absentee ballots are available to voters who will be unavailable on Election Day, are ill or physically disabled, or meet other statutory criteria, though early in-person voting is the primary alternative to Election Day voting. Election related public records in Arkansas include voter registration lists, available for purchase by campaigns and political parties under Arkansas Code § 7-1-106, along with campaign finance reports filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission and searchable at https://financial-disclosures.arr.ethics.arkansas.gov. Candidate filings and declarations, plus precinct-level election results, are also part of the public record All of these records are subject to public inspection under Arkansas FOIA laws, promoting transparency in the electoral process.