FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM)- Early voting in Fayetteville’s special election concerning the Civil Rights Ordinance will begin Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. at the Was...

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM)- Early voting in Fayetteville’s special election concerning the Civil Rights Ordinance will begin Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. at the Washington County Courthouse.

Ordinance 119 is the only issue on the ballot, which will ask voters whether they want to repeal the measure. The ordinance was passed by the Fayetteville City Council in August.

The Civil Rights Ordinance prohibits local businesses and entities from discriminating against employees and customers based on gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and other factors. Opponents of Ordinance 119 gathered enough signatures to force a special election, which has been set for Dec. 9.

Voters will able to cast their early votes on Dec. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 at the County Clerk’s Office on the third floor of the Washington County Courthouse between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Washington County Election Commission member Jennifer Price said they anticipate a heavy crowd during early voting, but are prepared to handle it. Election workers are not allowed by law to explain ballot measures, so Price recommended voters read the ordinance and look at a sample ballot before coming to cast their vote.

Since Ordinance 119 is a city issue, only voters who are registered in Fayetteville will be allowed to vote in the special election.