Opinion No.

Mary Jo Caruth, Chairman Lee County Election Commission 15 E. Chestnut Street Marianna, Arkansas 72360

Dear Ms. Caruth:

This is in response to your request for an opinion regarding whether or not the party primary election and run-off can be dispensed with in the context of an election of aldermen in the City of Marianna.

The term "primary election" is defined under Ark. Stat. Ann. 3-101(b) (Repl. 1976) as "any election held by a political party in the manner provided by law for the purpose of selecting nominees of said political party for certification as candidates for election at any general…