Sample Ballot

October, 2012 Update: This is old. Click here for a link to the 2012 ballot.

By request -- here's a sample ballot that includes the contests and ballot issues as they appear on the Miller County ballot:

Click here for an actual ballot
(opens a .pdf document in a new window)

Presidential Election:
· Baldwin/Castle (Constitution)
· McKinney/Clemente (Green)
· Barr/Root (Libertarian)
· McCain/Palin (Republican)
· Nader/Gonzales (Independent)
· La Riva/Puryear (Socialist)
· Obama/Biden (Democratic)

U.S. Senate:
· Mark Pryor (D)
· Rebekah Kennedy (Green)

U.S. House of Representatives:
· Mike Ross (D)
· Joshua Drake (Green)

Miller County Quorum Court (Fouke area only):
· John Burgess (D)
· Jimmy Cowart (R)

Ballot issues

Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 1:
This proposal removes archaic language from the Arkansas Constitution and allows the legislature to define the qualifications necessary for poll workers. It also gives the legislature the authority to set the time of holding general elections.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 2:
In a nutshell, this proposal provides for annual sessions of the legislature. One session would be held specifically for fiscal legislation unless two-thirds of both chambers approve.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 3:
This is the Scholarship Lottery Amendment. Passage would allow for a state-run lottery with proceeds funding scholarships for Arkansas students.

Initiated Act No. 1:
This measure prevents an individual from adopting or becoming a foster parent if he or she is cohabiting outside of a valid marriage.

Referred Question No. 1:
Passage of this question would give the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission the authority to issue up to $300 million in bonds for a variety of water, sewer, and waste disposal projects.

I'll only editorialize on one of the ballot questions, since I'm asked frequently what I think about annual sessions -- I think I've posted items on all the others. I'm against annual sessions. I voted against referring the issue to the people. I've always considered Arkansas (and Texas) to have a true citizen legislature, where we have people from all walks of life serve and represent the interest of all Arkansans. Meeting every year would prevent otherwise good candidates from being able to leave their jobs and families and serve in a full-time general assembly. If an issue is important enough to convene the legislature, the governor has the power to do so.