For the 22 May election, voters are going to have to state which ballot they want. Choices will be the Democratic Party Preferential Primary, the Republican Party Preferential Primary, or the Nonpartisan Judicial General ballot. Knowing where you vote is also a good idea.
The 2010 Census caused redrawing of district lines changing some precincts and voting locations. The County Clerk mailed registered voters a notice containing their polling site, precinct, and other information. If a voter did not receive a notice, contact the County Clerk. Voters are responsible for keeping their voter registration accurate and 23 April was the last day to register to vote on 22 May. However, if someone was already registered; it’s not too late to make address or name changes to avoid a problem on Election Day. At the poll, all voters are asked for identification and can decline to provide it. If that occurs the voter will be asked questions to establish identity, and then vote if registered and at the correct polling site. Several types of “identification” that show name and current address are acceptable. With few exceptions, a poll worker cannot insist a voter provide identification. Arkansas has open primary elections. That means a voter does not have to belong to a political party to vote in that party’s primary election; however, the voter must state which ballot they want (Democrat or Republican) because they cannot vote in both primary’s. Voters not wanting to vote in a political party’s primary election can choose to vote in the Nonpartisan Judicial General Election only. That ballot is included on Democratic and Republican primary ballots. All ballots for Pine Bluff voters will include the Special Election tax question. Jefferson County is now split into two Congressional Districts, the First and Fourth. The Democratic ballot has contested races for President, U.S. House of Representatives in both Districts, and at the state, county, and township-level. The Republican ballot has contested races for President in both, and U.S. House of Representatives in the Fourth District. Voters are encouraged to decide which ballot they want to vote before arriving at their polling site.
If the voter does not offer the ballot selection information, poll workers are required to ask which ballot they want. Although emphatically covered at poll worker training, it is inevitable someone is going to incorrectly ask if the voter is a Republican or Democrat. If that occurs, please don’t become indignant, simply explain which ballot you want. The poll worker enters a ballot choice code next to the voter’s name in the registration book. Then, if there is a run-off election, only voters who voted that party’s ballot in the primary, voted a judicial ballot, or didn’t vote at all can vote in the run-off. For example, if someone votes in the Democratic primary and there is a Republican run-off, that voter cannot vote in the run-off.
The ballot voted in May has absolutely no bearing on who a voter votes for in the November General Election. The voter is NOT obligated to that political party and has freedom of choice.
If a voter’s name and/or address do not match what is in the voter registration book, or if they are not listed, we will attempt to verify the voter’s right to vote in Jefferson County and at which location. In some cases it may be as simple as completing a change of information card. In others, it will be completing a card and going to another location with a transfer form. The form and card will save time at the correct location. If there is doubt about a person’s right to vote, or if the book shows they were “delivered” an absentee ballot or voted during early voting, they are offered a paper provisional ballot. The election commission subsequently determines if the ballot is counted, and the voter is notified. When the polls are open, only election officials, voters (and those assisting them), and poll watchers are permitted to enter a polling site. We won’t fuss about a young child with a voter but anyone else will be asked to leave. That includes campaign workers or candidates wanting to use a bathroom in voter traffic areas.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Electioneering within 100’ of the entrance of a polling site remains unlawful. Examples are soliciting votes, distributing literature, displaying, posting or wearing campaign material including signs or bumper stickers on vehicles transporting voters. If voters observe illegal activity, tell someone inside so we can stop it. If someone hands a voter campaign literature on their way in to vote, it must be out of sight when they enter or a trash can will be handy. Anyone soliciting signatures on a petition must also stay 100’ from the primary entrance.
A candidate cannot be a poll watcher on Election Day but may enter to vote or assist (only a voter at the voter’s request), then not more than six per election. It is illegal for a candidate to solicit votes inside a polling site. In that regard, we encourage voters not to talk to candidates to avoid the appearance the candidate is electioneering.
With a little luck, the foregoing will prepare readers for Election Day, candidates and campaign workers will behave, and everything will run smoothly. Please vote then thank the poll workers for putting in a very long day so you could exercise that privilege.
Editor’s note: Soffer has been the Jefferson County Republican election commissioner for nine years. He is a founding director and currently Vice President of the Arkansas County Election Commissions Association and was seconded by Department of State six times to represent the United States as an international election observer in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.