Arkansas GOP attemping to supress vote

[KingFlorez]

Just got this email from The Arkansas Democratic Party





The Republican Party of Arkansas issued a fraudulent press release alleging Teresa Burl was ineligible to run for the vacant District 39 Arkansas House of Representatives seat. The release stated that Burl could not run because she currently sits on the North Little Rock School Board.

The truth is, Arkansas Attorney General’s Opinion No. 97-025 issued in 1997 proves that not only is Ms. Burl eligible to run for the seat, but she can also retain her position on the school board until it expires in 2006.

The opinion points to the “unambiguous” language from Ark. Const., art. 5, sect. 7, which states “it would be permissible for a sitting school board member who was elected to the school board prior to having been elected to the General Assembly to continue to serve in both positions.”

The opinion points to the “unambiguous” language from Ark. Const., art. 5, sect. 7, which states “it would be permissible for a sitting school board member who was elected to the school board prior to having been elected to the General Assembly to continue to serve in both positions.”

This is a blatant attempt by the leadership of the state Republican Party to keep minorities and women away from the polls. District 39 is overwhelmingly Democratic and has a large minority population. In one phone call we found out Ms. Burl was eligible to run and eligible to serve. I don’t know why the Republican Party leadership couldn’t have made the same call unless it was yet another deliberate attempt to misinform the people who live and vote in District 39.

It’s unforgivable to see the Republicans make a mistake of this magnitude and one that could sway the outcome of a critical election as a way to gain another seat in the House of Representatives. It’s further a pathetic attempt to use the press as a willing accomplice to misinform voters and sully the electoral process.

The Democratic strength of that district is clear. In the 2004 general election, roughly 80 percent of District 39 voters cast ballots for Democrats. The Republicans’ dirty trick was nothing more than a thinly-veiled effort to win that area of Pulaski County by less-than-honest means.

Thankfully, we were able catch this attempt to hoodwink the people of District 39 and expose it for what is was – a hoax.

Along with Teresa Burl, Arnessa Staten and Sharon Dobbins are also seeking the Democratic nomination for the District 39 seat. We wish all of our candidates good luck in the primary election, and we promise the full strength of the Party on general election day.

The special election to fill the open seat is set for October 11th. The general election is scheduled for December 13th.

Sincerely,

Jason Willett, Chairman