Editorial

EDITORIAL: That should settle that

Over the last month or two, you might have seen an editorial advocating for expanding no-excuse absentee voting come November due to covid-19. Restrictions to vote via mail in Arkansas were somewhat vague as to whether personal health would be a valid reason for requesting an absentee ballot.

This was an issue that needed to be addressed by someone, anyone. The governor could issue an executive order. The Ledge could pass a bill. Even the courts could interpret existing law and guidelines on absentee ballots. Thankfully, Secretary of State John Thurston weighed in.

And a lot of questions have been answered. Of course, anything can happen in the courts, and sometimes anything does. But the state's top election official might have put the minds of Arkansas voters at ease this past week. Not to mention the minds of politicians at a couple of levels.

There have been a lot of questions about the nation's general election. Will voters have to go to the polls in November, even during a pandemic? Would they be able to vote by mail instead? What about extending early voting so there aren't 1,000 people standing in line on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November? How could Arkansans do this safetly? The rules appear vague.

Then John Thurston stepped in. And stepped up:

"I have been receiving many questions and have listened to the many concerns of the citizens of Arkansas as to the upcoming November election. It is my opinion and belief that our current laws are sufficient to allow the registered voters of Arkansas the choice of going to their local polling location or requesting an absentee ballot from their local County Clerk," he wrote online Thursday.

There you have it. For now. If you're concerned about your health or that of those around you, and don't want to cram into a voting booth on election day, you can request an absentee ballot from your county clerk. Let's hope the courts don't overrule the secretary of state in the next four months.

If you want to download an absentee ballot application, the form is here: http://tiny.cc/6hqdrz. Once you fill out the form, you have to get it to your county clerk. Here's a list of every county clerk in Arkansas: http://tiny.cc/7nqdrz.

Some clerks may want the form faxed, others mailed, perhaps even emailed. You might even have to attach your form to a carrier pigeon. But a quick call to the office should tell you.

Mr. Thurston's clarifying of the issue is a helpful move. In more ways than one. It also helps Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. Now neither of them are likely to have to weigh in on such a contentious issue.

For some reason, the president of the United States has opposed voting by mail for the mere people, despite the fact that he does it. And so do military types from around the world, among others.

But John Thurston's decision is a victory for all Arkansans. Now there'll be fewer concerns about the pandemic's effects on the election. Many folks will probably still head to the polls (wear a mask, please), but increasing voting options only strengthens democracy. And who could argue against that?

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