Voting Access
Your voice is important! It has the power to influence public opinion, perceptions, and politics. Don't let your voice go unheard. Join the DRC '08 Campaign. Your vote is your voice, don't waste it.
HAVA Videos
Disability Rights Center has made available videos related to the Help America Vote Act. All users are invited to view these short videos free of charge at any time on Google Video. They are:
- Educating Poll Workers - This video is designed to educate poll workers and others on how to interact with citizens with disabilities by using general examples. Includes open captioning.
- Introducing the ES&S iVotronic - This video introduces the viewer to the ES&S iVotronic touch screen voting system.
- What is HAVA? - This video introduces the viewer to the Help Americans Vote Act of 2002. Includes open captioning.
- New! Take a look at our new voting and disabilities commercial entitled "Make Your Vote Count!"
Arkansas Disability Population and Voting
| Residents with Disabilities | 576,471 |
| % of Total Population | 23.6 |
| Voting-Aged Population (VAP) with Disabilities | 529,563 |
| % of VAP | 26.6 |
| Estimated VAP with Disabilities who voted in 2000 | 202,293 |
| Estimated % VAP who voted in 2000 | 38.2 |
| Estimated VAP with Disabilities who did not Vote in 2000 | 327,270 |
| Source: US Census SIPP 1997 | |
HAVA Complaint Procedure
Click on the following link to connect to the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioner's Rules for Help American Vote Act Administrative Complaint Procedure (pdf). These rules set forth the procedure for providing resolution of any complaint alleging a violation of any provision of Title III of the Help American Vote Act of 2002, including a violation that has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur.
Arkansas Voting Overview Online
The State of Arkansas has assembled a very informative web page that tells All About Voting in the Natural State, and describes your registration and identification requirements, where to vote, answers frequently asked questions, and provides PDF copies of the state and national registration forms in both English and Spanish.
http://www.votenaturally.org/all_about_voting.html
 Pocket Guide to Voting Available
The 2008 edition of "Voting 101, A Pocket Guide to Voting in the Natural State" published by Secretary of State, Charlie Daniels, to clarify various myths and uncertainties about the voting process is now available online in PDF format. Copies of the Guide are also available by contacting DRC and asking for it by name.
 Feel the Power/Vote T-Shirt Available
Now you can feel the power of voting, and help DRC too, by ordering your Feel the Power / Vote t-shirt online. It comes in 6.1 oz. 100% preshrunk cotton jersey fabric with a seamless collar, durable double-stitched seams and bottom hem, and it's available in 16 colors, plus white, in sizes from Kids XS up to Adults XL (larger sizes are a little more). Only $20 plus shipping. Profits from the sale of this merchandise go to the Disability Rights Center. Click Here to Order Yours!
 ACCESS TO VOTING POCKET GUIDE
The Access to Voting Pocket Guide depicts the most common sign language "signs" used in a voting environment, and provides tips to effectively communicate with voters with disabilities. This includes disability etiquette tips, and a polling place accessibility checklist. Click Here to Order Yours!
2008 Voting Calendar
The tables that follow contain dates of particular importance to voters in the 2008 voting year. Election days are marked in bold.
2008 Preferential Primary Dates
| Date | Time | Description |
| 04/20/2008 | | DEADLINE TO APPLY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE PREFERENTIAL PRIMARY AND THE NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL GENERAL ELECTION. |
| 05/05/08 | | Deadline for county clerks to mail notice to all voters affected by changes in polling sites. |
| 05/05/08 | | Early voting begins for preferential primary and nonpartisan judicial general election. |
| 05/05/08 | | First day for designated bearer to pick up absentee ballot (2 maximum) for the preferential primary election and the nonpartisan judicial general election. |
| 05/13/08 | | Deadline for county clerks to receive absentee ballot applications by mail or fax for preferential primary and nonpartisan judicial general election. |
| 05/16/08 | | Deadline for county to county transfer of registered voters. |
| 05/19/08 | | Deadline for county clerks to receive in person or by designated bearer applications for absentee ballots for the preferential primary and nonpartisan judicial general election. |
| 05/19/08 | | Deadline for the voter (except for overseas voters) to personally deliver absentee ballot to the county clerk. |
| 05/19/08 | 5:00 PM | Deadline for voter to participate in early voting. |
| 05/20/08 | | Preferential Primary Election and Nonpartisan Judicial General Election. Polls are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| 05/20/08 | 1:30 PM | Deadline for delivery of application for an absentee ballot by an authorized agent of voter in a hospital or nursing home. |
| 05/20/08 | 7:30 PM | Deadline for county clerk to receive absentee ballots (excluding overseas ballots) by mail, the designated bearer, administrator or authorized agent of the voter for preferential primary or nonpartisan judicial general election. |
| 05/20/08 | | Deadline for active duty uniformed services personnel to execute absentee ballot. Must be received by county clerk by 5:00 p.m. |
2008 Nonpartisan Judicial General Election
| Date | Time | Description |
| 4/20/2008 | | DEADLINE TO APPLY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL GENERAL ELECTION. |
| 5/5/2008 | | Early voting for the nonpartisan judicial general election and the preferential primary election begins. |
| 5/5/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to mail notice to all voters affected by changes in polling sites. |
| 5/5/2008 | | First day that a designated bearer shall be allowed to pick up an absentee ballot. |
| 5/13/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to receive absentee ballot applications by mail or fax for the nonpartisan judicial general election. |
| 5/16/2008 | | Deadline for County to County voter registration. |
| 5/19/2008 | | Deadline for county clerk to receive in person or by designated bearer applications for absentee ballots for the nonpartisan judicial general election |
| 5/19/2008 | | Deadline for the voter (except for overseas voters) to personally deliver absentee ballot to the county clerk. |
| 5/19/2008 | 5:00 PM | Deadline for voter to participate in early voting. |
| 5/20/2008 | | NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL GENERAL ELECTION. Polls are open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. |
| 5/20/2008 | | Deadline for delivery of application for an absentee ballot by an authorized agent of the voter in a hospital or nursing home. |
| 5/20/2008 | | Deadline for the county clerk to receive absentee ballots (excluding overseas ballots by mail, a designated bearer, an administrator or authorized agent of the voter for the nonpartisan judicial general election. |
| 5/20/2008 | | Deadline for active duty uniformed service personnel to execute absentee ballot. Must be received by the county clerk by 5:00 p.m. 10 days after the election. |
2008 General Primary Election Runoff
| Date | Time | Description |
| 05/11/2008 | | Deadline to apply to register to vote in the General Primary Election Runoff |
| 05/26/2008 | | Deadline for county clerk to mail notice to all voters affected by changes in polling sites |
| 6/3/2008 | | Early voting starts for the general primary election runoff. |
| 6/3/2008 | | First day that a designated bearer shall be allowed to pick up an absentee ballot. |
| 6/3/2008 | | Deadline for county clerk to receive absentee ballot applications by mail or fax for the general primary election runoff |
| 6/6/2008 | | Deadline for county to county voter registration. |
| 6/9/2008 | | Deadline for voter to participate in early voting |
| 6/9/2008 | | Deadline for county clerk to receive in person by designated bearer applications for absentee ballots for the general primary election runoff |
| 6/9/2008 | | Deadline for the voter(except for overseas voters) to personally deliver absentee ballots to the county clerk. |
| 6/10/2008 | | General Primary Election Runoff. Polls are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| 6/10/2008 | | Deadline for the county clerk to receive absentee ballots (excluding) overseas ballots by mail, a designated bearer, an administrator or authorized agent of the voter for the general primary election runoff. |
| 6/10/2008 | | Deadline for qualified electors outside of the United States to sign, date, postmark, and mail absentee ballots to the county clerk. Must be received by the county clerk by 5:00 p.m. ten (10) calendar days after the election. |
| 6/10/2008 | | Deadline for active duty uniformed service personnel to execute absentee ballot. Must be received by the county clerk by 5:00 p.m. ten (10) calendar days after the election |
2008 Municipal Election Calendar
| Date | Time | Description |
| 05/20/2008 | | Preferential Primary Election and NonPartisan Judicial General Election. Polls open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. |
| 08/05/2008 | | Municipal Primary Election. |
| 09/26/2008 | | Deadline for county clerk to make available upon request applications for absentee ballots for the general election runoff. |
| 10/05/2008 | | Deadline to apply to register to vote in the General Election and Nonpartisan Judicial Runoff Election. |
| 10/20/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to mail notice to all voters affected by changes in polling sites. |
| 10/20/2008 | | Early Voting for the General Election begins. |
| 10/26/2008 | | Deadline to apply to register to vote in the General Election runoff. |
| 10/28/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to receive absentee ballot applications by mail or fax for the general election and the nonpartisan judicial runoff election. |
| 10/28/2008 | | First day that a designated bearer shall be allowed to pick up an absentee ballot. |
| 11/03/2008 | | Last day for voter to participate in early voting. |
| 11/03/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to receive in person or by designated bearer applications for absentee ballots for the general election and the nonpartisan judicial runoff election. |
| 11/03/2008 | | Deadline for the voter(except for overseas voters) to personally deliver absentee ballots to the county clerk. |
| 11/04/2008 | | General Election and Nonpartisan Judicial Runoff Election. Polls are open at 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| 11/04/2008 | | Deadline for delivery of application for an absentee ballot by an authorized agent of a voter in a hospital or nursing home. |
| 11/04/2008 | | Deadline for active duty uniformed services personnel to execute absentee ballot. Must be received by the county clerk by 5:00 p.m. ten (10) calendar days after the election. |
| 11/10/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to mail notice to all voters affected by changes in polling sites. |
| 11/18/2008 | | Early voting for the general election runoff begins. |
| 11/18/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to receive absentee ballot applications by mail or fax for the general election runoff. |
| 11/18/2008 | | First day that a designated bearer shall be allowed to pick up an absentee ballot. |
| 11/24/2008 | | Deadline for county clerk to receive in person or by designated bearer applications for absentee ballots for the general election runoff. |
| 11/24/2008 | | Deadline for the voter (except overseas voters) to personally deliver absentee ballot to the county clerk |
| 11/24/2008 | 5:00 PM | Deadline for voter to participate in early voting for the general election runoff. |
| 11/25/2008 | | General Election Runoff. Polls are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| 11/25/2008 | | Deadline for delivery of application for an absentee ballot by an authorized agent of the voter in a hospital or nursing home. |
| 11/25/2008 | | Deadline for the county clerk to receive absentee ballots (excluding overseas ballots) by mail, a designated bearer, an administrator or authorized agent of the voter for the general election runoff. |
| 11/25/2008 | | Deadline for active duty uniformed service personnel to execute absentee ballot. Must be received by the county clerk by 5:00 p.m. ten (10) calendar days after the election. |
2008 General Election
| Date | Time | Description |
| 10/05/2008 | | DEADLINE TO APPLY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION AND THE NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL RUNOFF. |
| 10/20/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to mail notice to all voters affected by changes in polling sites. |
| 10/20/2008 | | Early voting begins for the general election and the nonpartisan judicial election runoff. |
| 10/20/2008 | | First day for designated bearer to pick up absentee ballot (2 maximum) for the general election and the nonpartisan judicial election runoff. |
| 10/28/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to receive absentee ballot applications by mail or fax for the general election and the nonpartisan judicial election runoff. |
| 10/31/2008 | | Deadline for county to county transfer of registered voters. |
| 11/03/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to receive in person or by designated bearer applications for absentee ballots for the general election and the nonpartisan judicial election runoff. |
| 11/03/2008 | | Deadline for the voter (except for overseas voters) to personally deliver absentee ballots to the county clerk. |
| 11/03/2008 | | Last day for voter to participate in early voting. |
| 11/04/2008 | | GENERAL ELECTION AND NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL ELECTION RUNOFF. Polls are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| 11/04/2008 | 1:30 PM | Deadline for delivery of application for an absentee ballot by an authorized agent of a voter. |
| 11/04/2008 | 7:30 PM | Deadline for county clerk to receive delivery of the ballots (excluding overseas ballots) by mail, the designated bearer, administrator or authorized agent of the voter for the general election and the nonpartisan judicial election runoff. |
| 11/04/2008 | | Deadline for active duty uniformed services personnel to execute absentee ballot. Must be received by county clerk by 5:00 p.m. ten (10) calendar days after the election. |
2008 General Runoff Election
| Date | Time | Description |
| 9/26/2008 | | Deadline for county clerk to make available upon request applications for absentee ballots for the general election runoff. |
| 10/26/2008 | | Deadline to apply to register to vote in the General Election runoff. |
| 11/10/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to mail notice to all voters affected by changes in polling sites. |
| 11/10/2008 | | First day that a designated bearer shall be allowed to pick up an absentee ballot. |
| 11/18/2008 | | Early voting for the general election runoff begins. |
| 11/18/2008 | | Deadline for county clerks to receive absentee ballot applications by mail or fax for the general election runoff. |
| 11/18/2008 | | First day that a designated bearer shall be allowed to pick up an absentee ballot. |
| 11/21/2008 | | Deadline for county to county transfer of registered voters. |
| 11/24/2008 | | Deadline for county clerk to receive in person by designated bearer applications for absentee ballots for the general election runoff election |
| 11/24/2008 | | Deadline for the voter (except for overseas voters) to personally deliver absentee ballot to the county clerk. |
| 11/24/2008 | 5:00 PM | Deadline for voter to participate in early voting |
| 11/25/2008 | | General Election Runoff |
| 11/25/2008 | 1:30 PM | Deadline for delivery of application for an absentee ballot by an authorized agent of the voter. |
| 11/25/2008 | | Deadline for qualified electors outside of the United States to sign, date, postmark, and mail absentee ballot to the county clerk. Must be received by the county clerk by 5:00 p.m. ten (10) calendar days afte the election. |
| 11/25/2008 | | Deadline for active duty uniformed service personnel to execute absentee ballot. Must be received by the county clerk by 5:00 p.m. ten (10) calendar days after the election. |
Voting Accessibility Archive
Green Light Given to Voter ID Laws
The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld Indiana's controversial voter ID law, which critics say will discourage people with disabilities, the poor, the elderly and minorities from casting ballots. The law requires voters to present current government-issued photo identification. For those who cannot, it established a procedure for validating votes after an election. "This opinion will be read as a green light for the enactment of more partisan election laws in an attempt to skew outcomes in close elections," wrote Richard Hasen, a professor at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, on his widely read Election Law Blog. Hasen wrote a brief on the side of challengers to the law. To read the Courts full opinion click this link.
Disability Rights Center Finds Many Polling Sites in Pulaski County Still Not Accessible to Voters with Disabilities
DRC conducted ADA polling site surveys in Pulaski County during the Presidential Preferential Primary Early Voting January 29 thru February 4, 2008, and on Super Tuesday, February 5, 2008. We documented numerous barriers at most of the polling sites surveyed which would hinder access for voters with disabilities. DRC then sent a letter to the Pulaski County Election Commission with our survey results and requested that the barriers be removed before the elections in May 2008. To read the letter DRC sent to the Pulaski County Election Commission and review the survey results, click here (pdf).
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