Over the next week, voters across much of the River Valley will be able to head to the polls to cast their vote on who will represent the Republican Party in the race for the District 26 seat in the Arkansas State Senate.

Two special primary (and subsequent general) elections will fill vacant legislative seats in House District 70 and Senate District 26.

Voters in Franklin, Johnson, Logan, and Sebastian counties will vote on the Republican candidate for the Senate District 26 race.

The Pulaski County Board of Election Commissioners on Monday approved polling locations for the March 3 preferential primary election, nonpartisan judicial election and annual school election.

Two Democratic contenders are vying for the open seat in House District 70, with the primary election date set for Jan. 6.

The primary elections really are the ones that matter most. Republicans will easily win the general elections in November in much of Arkansas except in the remaining areas where Democrats will win. What really matters is who wins the primary.

Voters in Franklin, Logan, Johnson and Sebastian counties will decide who will fill the District 26 State Senate seat.