Court Denies JP Myers' Request to Move Polling Location

Judge rules Allen Tillery Chevrolet dealership can serve as polling site for March 3 elections

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A special judge ruled that Allen Tillery Chevrolet, Buick and GMC can be a polling site for the March 3 elections, denying Justice of the Peace Dayton Myers' petition to exclude the dealership and declare a violation of the Arkansas Constitution. Judge Mackie Pierce said Myers' concern did not constitute an emergency that would compel the election commission to remove or change a polling location after the statutory deadline.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about impartial elections and the potential for perceived conflicts of interest when polling locations are placed near the workplaces of candidates or their associates. The court's decision upholds the election commission's selection of the dealership as a polling site, despite Myers' argument that it could bias the outcome against him.

The details

Justice of the Peace Dayton Myers filed a petition last month in response to the Garland County Election Commission's decision to add the Allen Tillery Chevrolet dealership to the list of early voting and election day vote centers. Myers' attorney argued the decision could bias the outcome of the election against Myers, as the dealership's director of fixed operations, Robert Louton, is running against Myers in the Republican primary. However, the election commission and county officials testified that Louton's involvement was limited and that they took steps to ensure the location was neutral, such as requesting a state-appointed election monitor.

  • The election commission added the dealership as a polling site on Dec. 29, 2025.
  • Myers filed his petition last month in response to the commission's decision.
  • The expedited hearing was held on Feb. 13, 2026, just weeks before the March 3 elections.

The players

Dayton Myers

A two-term Justice of the Peace who filed the petition to exclude the Allen Tillery Chevrolet dealership as a polling site, arguing it could bias the election against him.

Robert Louton

The director of fixed operations at Allen Tillery Chevrolet, who is running against Myers in the Republican primary.

Gene Haley

The Garland County Election Commission Chairman and County Election Coordinator, who testified about the process of selecting polling locations.

Darryl Mahoney

The Garland County Judge, who testified about scouting potential polling locations after the former mall site became unavailable.

John Howard

The Garland County Attorney, who represented the election commission and county judge in the case.

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What they’re saying

“I'm keenly aware of the issues surrounding the need for impartial elections. In this day and age, it's certainly something we need to be mindful of, but I'm bound by the law. This case does not rise to the level for the court to declare the location violates the (Arkansas Constitution).”

— Judge Mackie Pierce (hotsr.com)

“(Haley) said they could put an (Americans with Disabilities Act) ramp over a hump in the sidewalk. It checks all the boxes.”

— Justin Hurst, Myers' attorney (hotsr.com)

“I wouldn't want to tell 3,000 voters to go somewhere else, even though there's a readily available location.”

— Gene Haley, Garland County Election Commission Chairman and County Election Coordinator (hotsr.com)

What’s next

The judge's decision means the Allen Tillery Chevrolet dealership will remain a polling site for the March 3 elections. Twelve days of early voting are set to begin on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This case highlights the delicate balance between ensuring impartial elections and accommodating voter access, as well as the challenges of addressing perceived conflicts of interest in the selection of polling locations. The court's ruling upholds the election commission's decision, but the concerns raised by JP Myers about the potential for bias will likely continue to be debated.