Vol. 2, No. 40
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020
Historic election brings out Clark County
Statements regarding issue 1
ARKANSAS HIGHWAY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN ROBERT S. MOORE, JR. “The yes vote on Issue 1 shows that Arkansas citizens see the value of a strong road and highway system. We thank them all for their support and trust. I would like to thank Governor Asa Hutchison for his work to help fund much needed improvements to the state’s road and highway system. With this passage of Issue 1, we will move ahead with the road and bridge work we promised to do. The Arkansas Highway Commission and ARDOT look forward with anticipation to the future where we have the resources to provide Arkansans with safe, smart and efficient roads and bridges.” ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR LORIE TUDOR “The passage of Issue 1 is truly a victory for the State of Arkansas. The continued investment and progress in our roads will increase safety and mobility and provide economic opportunities for generations to come. This success is due to a strong collaboration by all stakeholders. First and foremost, Photo courtesy of Kelly Stiles. thanks to Governor Asa Sheriff Frederick Middleton and his fellow election officials celebrate the end of a successful election day at the Clark County Hutchinson for his vision for Training Center. the future when he unveiled 87 voters by early evening. Charles Bechham (R) sitting cal contact to tablets where his Long Term Highway Kelly Stiles The Okolona voting officials at 2,815. verification signatures were Funding Plan in 2019 and Contributing Reporter mentioned that they usually The state representative required and to the touch- his continued support and leadership. His legacy will at least one voter arrive for district 18 remains Arka- screen voting stations. “I got in and out in about have a tractor. delphia resident Richard “Voting is more streamfive minutes,” 33-year-old on “When it starts getting Womack (R) who ran unop- lined than ever,” Robertson CRNA at St. Vincent Hospi- dark we’ll get another wave posed. District 19 state rep- said. tal Kathryn Speights said af- of hunters in camo,” resentative Justin Gonzales In addition to changes ter voting on election night official in Okolona, election Natalie (R) also ran unopposed. due to COVID, Clark County at the Caddo Valley City Hall West said. Clark County voted in favor also experienced changes voting center. In Clark County, a total Jenna Scott (R) for justice regarding precincts. There Voting officials reported of 8,392 people voted with of of the peace in district 7 are now nine precincts in that foot-traffic was slow 1,249 who voted on election with 529 votes as her op- Clark County opposed to the at polling sites in Clark day. The county voted in posing candidate received previous 12. County. Over 5,200 Clark favor of Trump with 4,605 382 votes. In the last presidential County citizens participated votes, while Joseph Biden County voted in fa- election, President Donald LITTLE ROCK – Tonight, in early voting, an outcome received 3,413 votes. Clark vorClark issue one, with 4,973 Trump (R) received 4,404 by passing Issue 1, Arkansas that Sheriff Berry Robertson County votes that U.S. sena- for of and 3,280 against the votes in Clark County and voters paved the way to a attributes to the current tor Tom Cotton (R) should issue. two received a Hillary Clinton (D) received brighter future, better roads, COVID-19 pandemic, as keep his position with 5,074 similarIssue response with 4,547 3,620 votes. If Trump is and a stronger economy all people may be avoiding votes compared to his oppo- who voted for and 3,545 who not re-elected, he will be the state. This critical large crowds. Ricky Dale Harrington voted against. Issue three the first single term Presi- across “When the loggers get out nent continuation of funding for Jr. ‘s 2,955 votes. The vote received a negative reaction dent since George Bush Sr.; of the woods, we’ll be seeing for the U.S. Congress seat from Clark County as 3,745 Also, Biden would be the Arkansas highways, roads, more folks,” election official of district 4 went to Bruce voted for and 4,230 voted oldest President in United and bridges—all without in Amity, Heather Smith- Westerman (R) with a total against. States history. According to raising taxes—will benefit peters said on election night. of 4,954, William H. Hanan individual vot- Political Science Quarterly, every resident and every 290 voters came to the son (D) followed up behind ed,Before are given a red or it is more likely for an in- small business that calls voting site of the Amity Mu- with 3,115 Clark County bluethey stylus reading “I Voted” cumbent President to win a Arkansas home. nicipal Building, Okolona votes. Clark County chose as well as a sticker reading presidential election. Governor Asa HutchinCity Hall received 158 vot- Bruce Maloch (D) to be the the same A stylus During the presidential son and Shannon Newton, ers, Caddo Valley City Hall state senator for district was givenmessage. to voters in order election process, several key had 141 voters, and Clark 12 with 3,153 votes, with to limit the amount of physi- states are observed closely Vote for Roads. Vote for County Training Center saw as their Republican and Issue 1. Campaign Chair, Democratic votes are often released the below stateclose in number. These are ments following the passage called “swing states.” Typi- of Issue 1: “Good roads are vital cally, swing states include Arizona, Florida, Iowa, to the growth and success Michigan, Nevada, New of our state, and tonight, Hampshire, North Caro- Arkansas voters made that lina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, clear in passing Issue 1 by and Wisconsin. This elec- an overwhelming margin,” tion cycle, however, fellow southern states Georgia and Texas are among the swing states. Arkansas is considered a “red state” as its voting results are usually in favor of the Republican party. In the presidential election of Bill Clinton (D) and George H. W. Bush, Arkansas deLITTLE ROCK, ARfied the odds and voted for The apparent murder of a democratic presidential candidate. As Hot Springs a 63 year-old Pike County is the boyhood home of Bill woman has led state police Clinton, voters supported Criminal Investigation Divithe Arkansas native who sion Special Agents to join inevitably won the election, in the investigation. The but was later impeached. body of Theresa Humphry The last time Clark County voted Democratic was in was found at her home this morning. 2004. Pike County Sheriff’s “I am not offended if someone chooses not to Deputies located the body vote,” Sheriff Frederick at 307 Billstown Road in Middleton said. “You have Delight and requested the no say in the matter if you Arkansas State Police to don’t vote, though.” Photo courtesy of Kelly Stiles. assist them in the criminal
not be forgotten. Thanks to the leadership of Representative Jeff Wardlaw and Senator Lance Eads for being the lead sponsors for the legislation that resulted in Issue 1. Thanks to the Good Roads Foundation and the Roads and Bridges Coalition for their vital support that was crucial to this victory. Page 2 Issue 1 Statement And last but not least, thanks to Arkansas’ voters for understanding the value of good roads. In 2012, 58% of voters approved a temporary ½ cent sales tax for a set of state highway widening projects that were clearly defined. This provided ARDOT an opportunity to prove that we can deliver what we promise, and I am proud to say we have done just that. ARDOT is well on the way to accomplishing what we promised in 2012 and will do so ahead of schedule. This paved the way for Issue 1, which allows for the continuation of the ½ cent sales tax. ARDOT considers the approval of Issue 1 a vote of confidence from all Arkansans. We are committed to delivering the Renew Arkansas Highways program as promised and doing so efficiently and effectively. Thanks to everyone for giving ARDOT the resources needed to meet the public’s expectations and make the State Highway System the best it can possibly be.”
Arkansas Voters Pass Issue 1 by “Overwhelming Margin” said Governor Hutchinson. “I’m delighted by the results, and I look forward to building better roads, a stronger economy, and a safer Arkansas in every corner of the state.” “From day one of the Vote for Roads. Vote for Issue 1. campaign, our message was about giving Arkansans what they want and need better roads,” said Newton. “Tonight, the voters have spoken and said they’re ready for their potholes to be fixed, less traffic, and overall safer roads in every corner of our state. The passage of Issue 1 means we can do all of those things. We are thrilled with the results and are excited to fulfill the promises that Issue 1 has made to all Arkansans.”
State investigates apparent murder of Pike County resident
Election day comes to an end at the Clark County Training Center voting site.
Voter suppression and its effects on the 2020 election and the people’s votes Julie Young University Correspondant
How long did you wait in line to vote? For those in small towns like Arkadelphia, you can visit your local polling location and there’s a high probability you’ll be out in five minutes. For others, the process is a little more complicated. Long waiting lines — hours long, in many cases — is a form of voter suppression. Voter suppression is a strategy that discourages voters or makes it more difficult for them to vote. This in turn can influence the outcome of the election. One way this manifests is in the number of polling locations available to vot-
ers. Because of Covid-19, many people are following safety precautions when it comes to voting and choosing to vote by mail, either dropping their ballot off or mailing it in. Texas’s Loving County has a population of 169 people and one ballot drop off location. All the way across the state is Harris County, population 4.7 million. It, too, has just one ballot drop off location. A limited number of polling and ballot drop off locations is what leads to longer lines that not all voters have the time to wait multiple hours in. This holds true especially for voters who can’t get the day off from work or aren’t able-bodied, disproportionately affecting minority
voters. To make things safer and easier, some who cannot wait in these lines are curbside voting. Just last Saturday, though, a group of Republicans in Texas petitioned the federal judge to throw out over 100,000 of these votes. The Texas Supreme Court previously denied a GOP bid to stop curbside voting, which came about from concerns that curbside voting is illegal. However, ruling on the basis that the plaintiffs have no legal standing to sue, U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Haven threw the suit out, ruling that the 127,000 ballots cast through this voting process in Texas can in fact be counted in this
election. In Oct., police arrested a man matching the description of someone who set fire to a ballot drop box in Boston. Before that, there was a suspected arson attack in California after someone dropped a flaming newspaper into the Los Angeles ballot box. That citizens exercise their right to legally vote — pushing through a limited number of locations, arson attacks, and extremely long lines — and then still face threats that their vote might be thrown out, burned, or not counted is the definition of voter suppression.
investigation. A 39 year-old man has been taken into custody and is being held at the Pike County Jail while the investigation continues this afternoon. Special Agents expect to submit information to the Pike County prosecuting attorney for the consideration of formal charges. Humphry’s body is being transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for determination of the manner and cause of death.
Baptist Health Community Outreach to offer Nov. courses LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Join Baptist Health Community Outreach for a variety of health and wellness classes in November being held from the convenience of your computer or mobile device. Classes typically last one hour. The following courses can be accessed through Google Meet so that participants can watch the presentation and interact with the presenters: Nov. 2 at noon – Your Health and Cholesterol Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. – Workout Wednesday Nov. 6 at noon – Healthy Lunch Demonstration Nov. 10 at noon – Diabetes and Prevention in Arkansas
Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. – Workout Wednesday Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. – Cooking with Community Outreach Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. – Kids Cook with Community Outreach Nov. 16 at noon – Mindful Eating Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. – Pantry Makeover Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. – Workout Wednesday Nov. 19 at noon – Hypertension 101 Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. – Diabetes Support Group Nov. 20 at noon – Lunchtime Chair Yoga Nov. 24 at noon – Eat Smart Month Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. – Carbohydrates and Diabetes