Historic 2022 election

By Ethan Nahté

The general election is about to begin, with early voting starting next Monday, Oct. 24, and continuing through Monday, Nov. 7, at the Dequeen Street Armory. 

Early voting polls are open 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. The exception is Monday, Nov. 7, when the polls close at 5 p.m. 

Tuesday, Nov. 8, is Election Day. Polls will be open 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. It will be a historical one for Arkansans, as well as Polk County voters.

On the statewide level, the 2022 election will see either the first female governor or the first Black governor the state of Arkansas has ever elected in Arkansas’ history, dating back to the state’s first governor, James Sevier Conway, who took office Sept. 13, 1836—three months after Arkansas was admitted to statehood.

If Sarah Huckabee Sanders is elected, it would also mark the first time in Arkansas history that Arkansas elected two consecutive Republican governors.

Her two competitors on the ballot are Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. (Libertarian) and Chris Jones (Democrat).

The Lt. Governor’s office may also result in a historical vote. Frank Gilbert (Libertarian) is on the ballot, as are two women: Kelly Ross Krout (Democrat) and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (Republican).

Following is a summary of the three amendments and one initiative on the state ballot, according to the website Ballotpedia. There is more to each than space allows, so do your own research before voting.

Arkansas Issue 1, Legislative Authority to Call a Special Session Amendment would allow the state legislature to call itself into extraordinary sessions upon (a) a joint proclamation from the Speaker of the House and the Senate President Pro Tempore or (b) upon a proclamation signed by two-thirds of the members in each chamber.

Arkansas Issue 2, 60% Supermajority Vote Requirement for Constitutional Amendments and Ballot Initiatives Measure. Currently, ballot measures in Arkansas require a simple majority (50%+1) vote for approval. This amendment would amend the state constitution to require a three-fifths 60% supermajority vote of approval from voters to adopt constitutional amendments (legislatively referred and citizen-initiated) and citizen-initiated state statutes. The supermajority requirement would not apply to veto referendums, which would continue to require a simple majority (50%+1) vote for approval.

Arkansas Issue 3, Government Burden of Free Exercise of Religion Amendment The measure would amend the state constitution to provide that the government cannot burden a person’s freedom of religion—including burdens resulting from a rule of general applicability—except if the government demonstrates that the burden is necessary to further a compelling government interest using the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. The measure would allow a person to cite this amendment as a claim or defense in a judicial, administrative, or other proceeding to obtain relief against the government

Arkansas Issue 4, Marijuana Legalization Initiative The measure would legalize marijuana use for individuals 21 years of age and older and authorize the commercial sale of marijuana with sales to be taxed at 10%. Of the tax revenue, 15% would be used to fund an annual stipend to all full-time law enforcement officers certified by the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training that are in good standing. Adults could possess up to one ounce of marijuana. Under the amendment, businesses that already hold licenses under the state’s medical marijuana program would be authorized to sell marijuana at their existing locations and could establish one additional location for commercial sale only. An additional 40 licenses would be given to businesses chosen by a lottery.

The local hot topic to Allow the Manufacture or Sale of Intoxicating Liquors in Polk County, Arkansas, is also on the ballot. Registered voters can vote “For” making Polk County wet or “Against,” leaving the county dry, not including the handful of restaurants that currently have permits to sell alcohol.

A sample ballot that includes the above candidates and issues, both in state and local races, can be seen at voterview.org. Sample ballots can also be picked up at the Polk County Clerk’s Office, located at the Polk County Courthouse.

Voterview.org also allows voters to input their information, either an address or name and birthdate, to find out where their polling location is for the 2022 general election. 

Polk County Clerk Terri Harrison said, “The voter view site is awesome because you will see that it lists each district the voter is registered in and also it lists each vote center and it’s address that will be open on Election Day so voters can decide which vote center is most convenient for them.”

Voters can also click on the Secretary of State’s link on the same page to read the rules, links to election results and more.

The next page is a publication ballot for Polk County, showing a sample of how the ballots will appear at the polling locations.

Harrison explained, “Not everyone will get to vote on everything on that ballot. For instance, only voters that live in JP District 2 will get a ballot with the JP District 2 race and only people that live inside the city will get a ballot with the city races.”

Harrison added, “The UofA Cooperative Extension has also brought us copies of their 2022 Voter Guide that explains each of the statewide ballot issues in an unbiased manner.  We have copies available here at the office or that voter guide can be viewed by visiting www.uaex.uada.edu/ballot.”

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