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Yes, I write articles now. I wonder how long until they ban me from posting LOL


Arkansas Senate, House Pass Anti-Corruption Bill Establishing Uniform Dates for Special Elections

Arkansas SB496, which establishes uniform dates for holding special elections, was passed by both houses of the Arkansas General Assembly, and shall become law if signed by Governor Hutchinson.

Supporters of the bill argue it’s a vital anti-corruption measure to increase voter turnout and prevent local government officials from strategically timing elections to manipulate the outcome.

We’ve all seen these special elections pop up, where they’re held at random or inconvenient times, and the turnout is typically abysmal—sometimes it’s as low as five percent. (Ray)

I’ve had a Mayor, a County Judge, and a Superintendent all tell me we need special elections, we need low voter turnout…to get it passed…the People should be the ones deciding this. (Gonzales)

Opponents argue it would unnecessarily take power away from local governments and flood the bond market, making special elections more costly for school districts. School boards are elected by the community they serve.

In my opinion: this [bill] bypasses the will of the People by both constitutional and local boards to make a local decision. (Wooten)

The bond market could be flooded, so what that means is, for the school districts: it probably will cause them to have to pay higher rates. (Deffenbaugh)

SB496 Arkansas Senate Roll-Call

It easily passed the Senate on the eighteenth of March with twenty-seven Yeas, one Nay, and three Present. Every Republican voted for the bill, joined by only two Democrats and one Independent.

SB496 Arkansas House of Representatives Roll-Call

The House of Representatives had previously defeated a similar bill: HB1368, however, passed SB497 on the first of April with seventy-four Yeas, nine Nays, and four Present. Two Democrats voted against the bill, joined by seven Republicans.


In my opinion: this bill is a step in the right direction to fix our broken electoral system and truly return power to the People. Both my Conservative Democrat Senator and Republican Representative (Gonzales, mentioned above) voted for it.