Saturday, July 29, 2006
TWO elections in September?
Central Arkansas Transit Director Keith Jones and Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines claim to have spent Saturday morning golfing and retired to a certain Riverdale sports bar for burgers afterward. I was glad to see Villines because there is one little item that has been eating me, and maybe you as well.
In September, there will be two separate elections in Pulaski County. On September 12, voters will decide on a quartet-cent tax for jail operations. On the 19th., the school election will take place. Why not have them together? Is that not better and cheaper? Turnout for school elections is typically miserable and there are no contested races in many precincts.
Here, according to Judge Villines, is the straight dope.
The State law requires that special elections take place on the second Tuesday of the month. A different law sets the school election for the third Tuesday in September. The jail tax may not be held at any other time except on a second Tuesday.
Now, somebody is bound to ask, Why not have the jail vote in November? Go ahead. Make my day.
In September, there will be two separate elections in Pulaski County. On September 12, voters will decide on a quartet-cent tax for jail operations. On the 19th., the school election will take place. Why not have them together? Is that not better and cheaper? Turnout for school elections is typically miserable and there are no contested races in many precincts.
Here, according to Judge Villines, is the straight dope.
The State law requires that special elections take place on the second Tuesday of the month. A different law sets the school election for the third Tuesday in September. The jail tax may not be held at any other time except on a second Tuesday.
Now, somebody is bound to ask, Why not have the jail vote in November? Go ahead. Make my day.
