A View into Arkansas’ Voting Issues

By: Caroline Hickman

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark- The Arkansas General Election arrives in just one week. All of the state’s executive officers, and seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be up for election. Along with the candidates, the ballot lists several issues. Issues two, four and five in the state of Arkansas will hear the voice of the people this year.

Issue two deals with the act of presenting a valid photo identification when voting, or casting an absentee ballot. If a citizen does not hold a valid ID, the law will require the state to provide he, or she with one free of charge.

The fourth point, if voted yes upon, will allow four casinos to be licensed. The locations of these casinos sit in Crittenden, Jefferson, Pope and Garland counties.

Finally the fifth act relates to all working- class citizens. The idea of increased minimum wage gets the attention of voters. If passed, an act would raise the current minimum wage of $8.50 per hour, up to $9.00 per hour. By 2021 the minimum wage would be as high as $11.00 an hour.

In-person voting takes place at most local churches throughout the area. Some of the locations include Cross Church in Springdale and The Awakening Church off of Mission Boulevard in Fayetteville.