LITTLE ROCK — The state Democratic and Republican parties have replaced their representatives on the state Board of Election Commissioners.
The Democrats appointed attorney J. Harmon Smith of Wynne to replace Jason Willett of Jonesboro.
The Republicans appointed Stu Soffer of White Hall to replace Deena Burnett-Bailey of Little Rock.
At a meeting Wednesday, the board also approved about $2 million in county reimbursements for the primary and runoff elections.
Smith is an attorney who also serves on the Cross County Election Commission.
“His experience in election law makes him very qualified,” state Democratic Party spokesman Candace Martin said.
She did not know whether Smith planned to step down from the county board.
Willett is a former chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party. He had been criticized for consulting on campaigns while serving on the board, but Martin said that played no role in his replacement.
“He is staying very busy with his consulting business and getting that off the ground, and he didn’t have the time,” she said.
Willett urged the board to work for the benefit of the whole state, not a particular party.
“The board operates in a very nonpartisan manner, and it should,” Willett said. “We need to keep the parties out of this.”
Nothing prohibits board members from consulting with campaigns, Willett said, but he questioned whether they should.
He praised board chairman Secretary of State Mark Martin for being nonpartisan.
Soffer is on the Jefferson County Election Commission.
He also serves as an election consultant and has worked as an international election observer.
Republican Party Chairman Doyle Webb said he isn’t worried about Soffer’s consulting work posing a conflict of interest.
“I believe that he is very careful in following the law,” Webb said. “If he saw a conflict, he would remove himself from that conflict.”
When Burnett-Bailey’s term expired in May, Webb polled county chairmen and election commissioners about the position.
“They favored Stu, so I made the decision,” Webb said. “He has exceptional knowledge in the practice and use of election laws.”
The board also voted to approve $1.39 million in reimbursements to 50 counties for the May 22 primary.
B oard director Susie Stormes said 22 counties have not submitted the proper documents to be reimbursed for the primary. Three submitted their documents too late to be considered at Wednesday’s meeting.
The board also approved $361,633 for 21 counties from the June 12 runoff election. Stormes said 37 counties have not submitted reimbursement documents.
Counties have until June 2013 to be reimbursed, she said.
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 07/26/2012