SPRINGDALE, Ark.—Eddie Free’s name will be on the Nov. 4 ballot for Springdale city council, even though the 50-year-old died unexpectedly on Sunday.

Early voting began the Monday before Free passed away. Washington County Election Commission Chairman John Logan Burrow says the election process will proceed with Free’s name listed.

“I’m sure some people have already voted for Mr. Free,” Burrow said. “We will count up votes from him just like any other candidate.”

Ballots for the general election have already been printed, he said.

Secretary of State office attorney Tim Humphries says the law is clear that if a candidate dies after the filing period ended, the votes for that person will be counted. If the dead person gets enough votes to advance to a runoff, his name will appear on that ballot, too.

If a deceased person wins the election, a vacancy would have to be declared.

A vacancy in an election is different than a vacancy of a sitting official. Because no eligible candidate was elected, the incumbent would remain in office, by the holdover provision of the Arkansas Constitution, Humphries said.

Aside from Free, on the ballot are incumbent Kathy Jaycox and challengers A.L. Hollingsworth and Craig Graves.

If Free wins, Humphries says Jaycox would remain in office.

Free attended an election forum on Thursday, and Graves said he visited with Free after the event.

“He had a genuine concern for the city,” Graves said. “He didn’t have an ax to grind. He wanted to get in there and help.”

Jaycox said she had an admiration for anyone who ran for public office.

“He was willing to serve the community, voice his opinion and risk a run for office,” Jaycox said.

Hollingsworth praised Free’s integrity.

“The city will be worse off without him,” Hollingsworth said.