Arkansans Urged to Register on National Voter Registration Day

This article was originally published by Public News Service.

Ahead of the general election on November 8, there's an urgent push for voter registration in Arkansas.

In 2020, 83% of Arkansas citizens reported being registered.

In celebration of National Voter Registration Day tomorrow, Kay Abney - a member of the voter registration board at the nonpartisan League of Women Voters - said they have expanded their community outreach and will be visiting schools, farmers' markets, and an art museum for voter registration.

She said your vote counts.

"I know a lot of people say that your vote does not count," said Abney. "But I know in Arkansas, at least, that we have had several things that were 30 votes, 20 votes. And you can't tell me that does not count. Also, the other thing is that even if you don't win - which we're not going to always win, nobody does - but at least you have had made a statement on what you think. You know, that's one of our few true rights."

Abney noted that the last day to register to vote is October 11, and early voting kickoff is October 24. The League has worked to make it easier for people to get voter information and register to vote online at 'Vote411.org'

According to Ballotpedia, a nonprofit that gathers comprehensive election information, the Arkansas State legislature referred three constitutional amendments to the 2022 ballot.

Abney said with issue number two on the ballot, the legislature is trying to push through a measure that makes it harder for the public to get anything on the ballot.

"It's almost impossible now to tell you the truth because you know, yet we have so many people that sign your petition," said Abney. "Then it has to be cured, it has to be checked, it has to be done. But they're trying to go where you have to have 60% of the 150,000, I think and they want it from every county."

A marijuana-legalization initiative was certified for the ballot, although votes on the initiative may not be counted pending a state Supreme Court ruling.