Voting on Nov. 6 will be slightly different from the May primary elections. This ballot will have national and state races, Democrat, Libertarian and Republican candidates in addition to independents, and depending on where you live, a local race, a tax question, a school district annual millage revalidation question, and the Arkansas Supreme Court runoff election.
The only uncontested candidates on the ballot will be the circuit clerk and mayors.
When a voter arrives at their assigned polling site, the poll clerk will ask their name. After the voter’s name is located in the precinct registration book, they state their address and date of birth. If everything matches, the poll clerk asks for photo identification. Most voters are used to that by now and for those who may not have photo identification; there is an optional affidavit of eligibility alternative to ensure their provisional vote is counted if the voter is registered to vote at that polling site. If a voter is not sure where they vote, check with the county clerk at 541-5322.
The poll clerk is required to compare the photo to the voter – nothing else. If everything matches or even comes reasonably close, the voter signs the voter registration book, enters their information on the voter sign-in sheet then they receive a slip of paper indicating their precinct.
A poll worker will bring the correct ballot onto the screen then move away to afford voter privacy.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Unlike the primary elections, voters do not have to stipulate which election they want to vote in.
A voter is also not obligated to vote for candidates of the political party on whose ballot they voted in the primary.
The ballot is lengthy and by law, a voter only gets five minutes to vote. That is not usually a problem if others are not waiting to vote. Rather than be rushed, all are encouraged to know how they are going to vote on the issues ahead of time.
There are five issues on the ballot but only three are still valid. Votes for issues one (tort reform) and three (term limits) will not be counted. That is because the election was programmed before the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled.
Each polling site is required to have two sample ballots taped to a wall so voters can familiarize themselves with the ballot issues before going to the voting machine. Poll workers cannot explain issues.
Every voting machine correctly tabulated votes during logic and accuracy testing and the touch screen calibrated. If a voter has any question about their vote being correctly, recorded DO NOT cast the vote. Stop and ask a poll worker for assistance while the ballot is on the screen.
Voters have rights. Those with physical disabilities are entitled to go to the head of the line. Someone should not be on your heels when you are answering the poll clerk’s questions. If a voter needs assistance while at the voting machine, two poll workers must respond – every time with no exception. If requested, two poll workers will assist a voter cast a ballot and they must do so without comment or interpretation.
Lastly, Fail Safe Voting applies. That means no voter can be turned away (other than referred to his or her correct polling site) or denied the right to cast a ballot if there is an eligibility question. The voter is required to be offered a provisional ballot. The election commission decides if the vote is counted after the county clerk verifies registration. If the decision is it will not, the voter is offered a hearing before the final decision is made.
Stuart “Stu” Soffer is a member of the Jefferson County Election Commission.