The mid-term elections are right around the corner, and soon, voters will be asked to weigh in on several local, statewide, and national races when they head to the polls on Nov. 6 (or early vote beginning on Oct. 22).
They’ll also be casting votes on five Arkansas ballot issues this year, and the Public Policy Center at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has created a handy guide to help voters make a more informed choice on those issues when filling out their ballots.
The self-described “unbiased, research-based guide” examines everything from how an issue gets on the ballot, to the ballot titles, what a for/against vote means for each of the issues to be considered in Arkansas this year, as well as what supporters and opposition to issue are saying about the proposals.
The guide also includes a worksheet voters can use to make their own notes on each of the seven issues.
Voters will consider issues dealing with lawsuits and the powers of the General Assembly and Supreme Court to adopt court rules, a voter ID law, a term limit amendment, a casino gambling amendment, and an increase to the Arkansas minimum wage.
A list of each of the five issues that voters will consider this fall is below, and you can download the voter guide in its entirety at uaex.edu/ballot.
For more information about the guide, contact the Public Policy Center at 501-671-2299, or email them at [email protected].
2018 Arkansas Ballot Issues
Issue 1
An Amendment Concerning Civil Lawsuits and the Powers of the General Assembly and Supreme Court to Adopt Court Rules. Learn more about Issue 1.
Update: The Arkansas Supreme Court has ruled that the wording of Issue 1 was unconstitutional, and that no votes would be counted on the measure in the election.
Issue 2
A Constitutional Amendment Adding as a Qualification to Vote that a Voter Present Certain Valid Photographic Identification When Casting a Ballot In Person or Casting an Absentee Ballot. Learn more about Issue 2.
Issue 3
Arkansas Term Limits Amendment. Learn more about Issue 3.
Update: The Arkansas Supreme Court has disqualified Issue 3, ruling that several thousand of the signatures on the petitions to add the issue to the ballot were invalid and should not have been counted.
Issue 4
An Amendment to Require Four Licenses to be Issued for Casino Gaming at Casinos, One Each in Crittenden (to Southland Racing Corporation), Garland (to Oaklawn Jockey Club, Inc.) Pope, and Jefferson Counties. Learn more about Issue 4.
Issue 5
An Act to Increase the Arkansas Minimum Wage. Learn more about Issue 5.
