Early voting starts Monday in Arkansas. Here's what you can expect on the ballot

Robert Medley, Fort Smith Times Record
·4 min read
10

At voting centers in Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren and across the state, early voting starts Monday in Arkansas for the Nov. 8 midterm elections.

There are state questions on the ballots for voters in Arkansas other than Issue 4 regarding legalizing recreational marijuana. Here is a look at the other three in advance of early voting from the Arkansas Secretary of State.

Issue 1

Arkansas legislators have proposed an amendment to the state constitution that would give them the authority to call special meetings of the legislature formally called the General Assembly at any time. Currently, only the governor has that authority.

Issue 1 is a proposed amendment to the state constitution to allow the general assembly to convene in "extraordinary session." Sen. Breanne Davis of Russellville and Rep. Frances Cavenaugh of Walnut Ridge are sponsors of the proposal.

Issue 2

The Arkansas legislature proposed Issue 2 which would require 60% approval on any questions on future ballots that make it from initiative petition efforts.

Issue 2 is a proposed constitutional amendment to "ballot initiative reform," that would require 60% voter approval on any question on ballots from an initiative petition. The Medical marijuana question in 2016 on ballots from an initiative petition garnered 53% approval that year.

Rep. David Ray of Maumelle and Sen. Bart Hester of Cave Springs are the sponsors of the proposal.

Issue 3

Issue 3 is titled "The Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment" to "provide that government may never burden a person's freedom of religion except in the rare circumstance that the government demonstrates that application of the burden to the person is in furtherance of a compelling government interest."

Sen. Jason Rapert of Conway and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway of Paragould are the sponsors.

Issue 4

Issue 4 is the recreational marijuana question, on the ballot after an initiative petition, states that although recreational marijuana is still federally illegal, it could be legal for those 21 and older if approved in Arkansas.

How to vote early

At the election centers for early voting, voters will need to show ID to vote in Arkansas including an Arkansas driver's license or photo identification card, concealed handgun carry license, United States passport, employee badge or identification document issued by an accredited postsecondary education institution in the State of Arkansas, United States military identification document, public assistance identification card if the card shows a photograph of the person to whom the document or identification card was issued, or a voter verification card.

If voting for the first time in Arkansas and registered to vote by mail, and didn't submit a copy of an ID when registered will need to show your ID to vote. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or another government document with your name and address.

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. In order for your provisional ballot to be counted, you must return to your county board of election commissioners or county clerk by 12 p.m. on the Monday following the election and present a document or identification card meeting the requirements described above.

Voting early in Sebastian County

Early voting will be Monday, Oct. 24 to Monday, Nov. 7 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays at five places in Sebastian County:

The Sebastian County Courthouse, room GB, 35 S 6 Street, Fort Smith.

Greenwood Sebastian County Fairgrounds, 530 E. Knoxville Street.

Ben Geren Park Tornado Shelter, 7200 Zero Street, Fort Smith.

Creekmore Community Center, 3301 S. "M" Street, Fort Smith.

Rye Hill Baptist Church, 11501 U.S. 71 South, Fort Smith.

In Crawford County, early voting will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 7 at the Emergency Operation Center, 1820 Chestnut, Van Buren and the Alma Community Center, 114 Column Lane E.

Early voting in Oklahoma starts Nov. 2

Voters in Oklahoma can cast ballots early from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, through Friday, Nov. 4, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Sequoyah County Election Board, 110 E. Creek Ave. in Sallisaw.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Monday, Oct. 24 is first day of early voting in Arkansas