Tonight was my first night as acting vice-chair of the Saline County Democratic Women.I invited Saline County Clerk Freddy Burton to come speak. Even though he was a little under the weather, I learned a few fun election facts from him.

Our current voting precincts, which are spread all of town, are still set up for horse and buggies. In a sense that they were spread all over because there were no logical means of transportation to far away places. Anyhow, some states, like Colorado, have started to utilized Vote Centers, which are a new kind of precinct, more effective for early voting and overall Hopefully Arkansas, or at least Saline County can adapt something like Colorado.

Another pressing issue is the possibility, and a likely possibility it is, of moving Arkansas Presidential Primary day to May, when it used to be. Currently it is on Super Tuesday, and as we learned this year, we would’ve had a bigger role in the scheme of things if it was in May, with all the other local and statewide primaries. Another possibility, which some elected officials in the house and senate are lobbying for, is moving the Presidential Primary, as well as the State Primaries to June or August. Why? Because an Arkansas law just passed that forces Arkansas legislatures to meet every year, rather than every other year as they previously have. I think that is a horrible idea, first of all, it would directly hurt young voters. Young voters, who are typically students, do not have school in the summer. They are likely to be on vacation, etc. . . Although they can do the whole proxy thing, it is hard enough to get young people to vote in the first place. The second reason this is a bad idea is because it doesn’t not leave enough time to campaign before the actual election. Candidates typically get a short break in June and sometimes July before they have to hit the campaign trial hard. I think this would extend the election process.

We then moved to the topic of more cost effective voting methods. Someone suggest online voting, I even mentioned texting voting, which I am still determined will some day come. That’s when Freddy Burton explained Oregon’s voting process. It is rather simple. They mail a ballot to every registered voter in the state. Yes, it is expensive to mail all of those ballots out, because not all of those people would vote; however, It is certainly cheaper than paying all of the workers and electronic voting machines. Not only is it more cost effective, but I also I believe that it would increase the voter “turnout.” Mailing something is less of a hassle than standing in line to vote. After seeing people stand in line ALL DAY to vote many would likely find it refreshing to simply vote by mail. Also, laws are often worded in a very confusing manner, which may mislead voters. Sometimes one would like to learn more about a candidate. With more time to research such a serious decision, voters may make a better decision. California used to mail sample ballots that included pros and cons to all registered voters. Apparently that cost them too much though because now they are bankrupt. ; )

I’m certainly convinced that we, not only Arkansas, but the entire nation, should copy Oregon’s voting process.