Early Voting and the Voters Bill of Righhts

Early voting continues at the Washington County Courthouse from 10:00-4:00 on Saturday and from 8:00-5:00 on Monday. There is no early voting place on the University of Arkansas campus, even though the student government made a formal request and the election commission voted 2-1 in favor of approval.

Despite the closing of the parking lot at the courthouse, it is still convenient for early voting. The only hassle is that Dan Coody and his wife will yell at you or grab your hand and try to detain you until you tell them that you will vote for them. Most candidates and their supporters are respectful of voters and will merely introduce themselves, ask for your support, or hold a sign. It is a misdemeanor for anyone to talk politics within 100 feet of the entrance to the courthouse, so you should be safe from badgering by candidates who obey the law. Election officials finally had to measure and mark the limits on Saturday after numerous complaints about Mr. and Mrs. Coody.

If any candidates violate the 100 foot statute, report them to the Deputy Sheriffs at the security entrance and refer them to the Arkansas Voters Bill of Rights, No. 12, based on Arkansas Code §7-1-103(a)(9)(B). "During early voting days, no person shall … do any electioneering of any kind whatsoever during early voting hours in the building or within one hundred feet (100') of the primary exterior entrance used by voters to the building containing the early voting site nor engage in those activities with persons standing in line to vote whether within or without the courthouse."

All voters should be aware of the Arkansas Voters Bill of Rights, especially if you are a first time voter or have moved since the last election. You may print and carry a copy of this with you into the polling place.

Arkansas Voters’ Bill of Rights

1. On election day, each polling place opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 7:30 p.m.. If you are in line or in the process of voting when the polls close at 7:30 p.m., YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE in the election. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 7-5-304, 7-5-314(c) (2004)

2. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE without presenting identification after signing your name on the precinct voter registration list unless you are a first-time voter who registered by mail and you have not previously provided photo identification to the supervisor of elections. § 7-5-305

3. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE by provisional ballot if (1) you are a first-time voter who does not have photo identification and you did not provide identification when registering, (2) if your name is not on the precinct voter registration list and election officials are unable to verify your eligibility at that time or (3) if your vote is challenged for any reason. §§ 7-5-306(a)(8)(B)(ii), 306(b) and 312(b)

4. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to vote early beginning fifteen days before an election and ending on the day before the election day at the time the county clerk’s office regularly closes. § 7-5-418

5. If you cannot read or write or cannot prepare your ballot because of physical, sensory, other disability or other legal cause, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to receive assistance when voting from either two election officials or a person of your choice. § 7-5-310

6. If you cannot stand in line for extended periods of time due to a physical, sensory or other disability, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to be placed at the head of the line to vote. § 7-5-310(c)

7. If you are visually impaired or have a physical or mental disability, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to vote at a voting location accessible to you. § 7-5-311(a) and (d)

8. If you have moved within the same precinct or you have changed your name, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE on Election Day in that precinct after completing a voter registration application form to update the voter registration files. §§ 7-5-305(a)(5)(B) or (a)(6)

9. If you have moved to another precinct in the same county, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE on Election Day in your new precinct after a poll worker verifies your registration and after you complete a voter registration application to update the voter registration files. § 7-5-306(a)

10. If you make a mistake or accidentally “spoil” or deface your ballot so that you cannot vote, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to receive a replacement ballot (no more than two total) after you return the spoiled ballot to the election officials. § 7-5-313

11. If you have been convicted of a crime but have completed your sentence, including any period of probation and parole, and have registered to vote since that time, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE. Ark. Const. Amen. 51, Sec. 11

12. When you are within 100 feet of the polling place entrance, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO WAIT TO VOTE OR VOTE without anyone electioneering or trying to influence your vote in any other way. § 7-1-103(a)(9)

13. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE on Election Day and your employer must schedule your work hours to allow you to do so. § 7-1-102

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE THIS BILL OF RIGHTS INTO THE VOTING BOOTH WITH YOU.