Election 2020: Your Vote, Your Voice
Election season is underway, and it is vital that we acknowledge the impact of local and national elections on our democracy. In this election, every vote counts. In the fight for justice and equality, voting offers the best opportunity to leverage your voice to elect leaders who will fight for the best interests of your community.
We’ve gathered important information that you need to know about casting your ballot in November.
VERIFY YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION
Visit the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website voterview.ar-nova.org to see if you registered to vote.
Felony Convictions: Your right to vote is only affected if you have been convicted of a felony. Charges do not affect your right to vote. Misdemeanors do not affect your right to vote. If you have been convicted of a felony in Arkansas, you can vote if you are not currently incarcerated or on probation or on parole and you’ve paid all of your fees, fines, and costs. To restore your right to vote, you must take proof of your discharge and proof that you paid all probation or parole fees, court costs, fines, or restitution to your county clerk. It is recommended that you collect these records at the time of your discharge or as soon as possible thereafter and retain copies of these records as they may be increasingly difficult to obtain as time goes by. Once your local county clerk has received this proof, you are eligible to register to vote.
View the following guidance by the ACLU: https://www.acluarkansas.org/en/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-voting-after-criminal-conviction
MAKE A VOTING PLAN
• Educate yourself. See which candidates and ballot measures will appear on your ballot by visiting the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website at https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview. We encourage you to research each issue and race.
• Decide HOW you will vote. You have three options for voting in the November General Election:
Vote Absentee
Vote Early (Oct. 19 to Nov. 2)
Vote on Election Day
• Confirm your polling place before the day you plan to vote. Many counties have changed the locations and numbers of polling places this year — call your county clerk or election commission to confirm your polling place before you head for the polls.
• Recruit others to vote. Help your friends and family make their voting plan. You can join the CFC’s Mobilize Arkansas voter outreach program by emailing our Digital Organizer Hope Adair at hope@arpanel.org.
HOW TO VOTE ABSENTEE
Fill out an Absentee Ballot Application here: https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/elections/Absentee_Ballot_Application.pdf
In Section 1, select “I will be unavoidably absent from my polling site on Election Day” in the first section
Section 2, mark that you live in the county where you registered in the second section
In Section 3, check the “General Election/Nonpartisan Runoff & General Election Runoff” to get an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 election
In Section 4, we recommend requesting your ballot by mail.
Mail your application to the County Clerk in which you registered to vote as soon as possible! Find their mailing address here: https://govotear.org/clerk/
Accurately completing your absentee ballot is a vital step in ensuring your vote is counted. Double-check that your ballot is completed as required and will be counted by watching a quick step-by-step video by For AR People at https://bit.ly/33IoODA
• DEADLINES TO APPLY FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT
The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot varies depending on the method of delivery you’ve chosen in Section 4. Deadlines are as follows:
Mail or Electronic Mail: By Tuesday, Oct. 27 — but due to the anticipated unprecedented volume of absentee ballots and possible USPS delays, , the earlier, the better. Your County Clerk will mail or email your absentee ballot to the address you provided.
In-Person: By the close of business Nov. 2
• DEADLINES FOR BALLOT PICKUP
You should base your ballot pickup on the ability to return it to the County Clerk on time.
• DEADLINES FOR DELIVERY OF COMPLETED BALLOT TO COUNTY CLERK
In Person: By the close of business Nov. 2. ***Unlike other states, you cannot bring your mail-in ballot to a polling place or to a dropbox — you can only mail it in or return it to your county clerk’s office.
By Mail: Received at the County Clerk’s office by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3. If you mail your ballot, you need (2) first-class stamps.
DO NOT fax or email your completed ballot back to your County Clerk’s office.
If you apply to cast an absentee ballot, but change your mind and decide to vote in person, you must cast a provisional ballot. If you have questions on completing this process, you can contact the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office with any questions at voterservices@sos.arkansas.gov.
HOW TO VOTE EARLY
Early voting is the best way to avoid long lines. Arkansas voters have at least one early voting site in their precinct. Your County Clerk’s office will host early voting, but other sites are likely available to you, too! Locate your them here: https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview
***Remember to bring a valid photo ID to your polling site.***
HOW TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY
If you’re unable to vote from home or early, make a plan now to vote in-person. On Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are in line by 7:30 p.m., poll workers must allow you to vote.
Don’t forget your mask, and be sure to bring a valid photo ID to your polling site. Your Arkansas driver’s license, concealed handgun license, U.S. passport, employee badge or ID issued by an Arkansas post-secondary institution, U.S. military ID, public assistance ID card with photo are all valid forms of identification at your polling place.
We know that the idea of casting a ballot can be intimidating for first-time voters. Here’s what to expect:
• Upon arrival, poll workers will greet you and ask for your name, ask to see your photo ID, and ask you to confirm your address. It is OK if the address on your photo ID doesn’t match your voter registration address as long as your name is the same — just give them the address you used to register to vote! Once you confirm your address, they’ll ask you to sign your name before you vote.
• You may be asked to cast your vote on a paper ballot or at an electronic machine. Some polling sites may give you the option to decide how you’d like to cast your vote. If you choose to vote electronically, a poll worker will explain how to use the machine to select, navigate and cast your vote. No question is a stupid question — if you need assistance, ask! A poll worker will be standing nearby to help.
MAKE SURE YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED
Some common mistakes that prevent people’s vote from being counted include:
Not registering to vote, or updating your voter registration if you’ve moved before the Oct. 5 deadline.
Not following the directions precisely on your absentee ballot — the directions are not hard, but they must be followed precisely.
Not having a valid ID when voting in person will require you to cast a provisional ballot. Not submitting a copy of your photo ID along with your absentee ballot will cause it to be disqualified.
Going to the wrong polling place will result in you being asked to vote a provisional ballot. It’s best to identify your polling place in advance of election day. You can do that by visiting https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview.
Trying to vote more than once. President Trump has suggested that people vote absentee and then try to vote in person as well. THIS IS ILLEGAL and could result in none of your votes being counted — or even felony charges.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE
• Call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.
