skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, November 4, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump offers darkness, Harris offers optimism on election eve in America; Despite the hype, noncitizens aren't voting in Wisconsin; KY labor unions want the next administration to support the PRO Act; the future of public education is on the line in NH governor's race.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump escalates violent rhetoric against the press, Harris aims to reassure Michigan's Arab Americans angered by the war in Gaza, and a respected poll shows an unexpected lead for Harris in solidly red Iowa.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

Lower early voting numbers in AR compared to 2020

play audio
Play

Monday, November 4, 2024   

Election officials in Arkansas say fewer people cast early votes in this year's general election than in 2020.

They say more people voted early four years ago because of the pandemic, but University of Arkansas Political Science Professor Andrew Dowdle said the state is known for its low voter turnout.

He said only 62% of voting age people are registered to vote, and the state doesn't try to reach people in rural areas.

"They've made it so that if you are a high-probability voter, it's very easy for you to vote," said Dowdle. "We've not done a good job in terms of reaching out to those people who are lower-probability voters."

Dowdle said the larger counties have multiple early voting locations, but in many smaller communities, early voting is limited to the courthouse or county seat.

He added that Arkansas is also known for rejecting mail-in ballots in large numbers, especially in rural counties with a large African American population.

"It's going to be heavily scrutinized," said Dowdle. "You're going to have to provide a pretty strong rationalization and then there's going to be a number of efforts that are going to be made. The burden of trying to get in a mail-in ballot it's just a lot higher than other states."

Early voting was heavy in Benton and Washington counties in northwest Arkansas. Dowdle blamed the overall low voter turnout on complacency.

"People kind of talk about Arkansas and say, 'Well Arkansas is not a red state, it's just a state that doesn't vote,'" said Dowdle, "but most polls have shown that there's not a lot of variation between voters and non-voters. It would move Arkansas a little bit from dark red to light red."

The polls will be open tomorrow from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you're in line before the polls close, you will be allowed to cast your ballot.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
The Ohio Organizing Collaborative registered nearly 160,000 new voters for the Nov. 5 election, which represents the largest grassroots voter registration program in the country. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Ohio voters are facing significant challenges at the ballot box, with some groups expressing concerns over voter roll purges and gerrymandering …


Environment

play sound

As people head to the polls tomorrow, groups are working to ensure Georgia's Black and brown communities understand the energy saving benefits of the …

Social Issues

play sound

According to some experts, a significant undercount in Florida's 2020 census may have lasting consequences for the state, jeopardizing vital funding …


The Internet Crime Complaint Center is the central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime. It is run by the FBI, the lead federal agency investigating crime. (Anete Lusina/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

Online scams are growing in scale and sophistication, affecting millions and creating economic losses estimated at $1 trillion globally in 2023…

Social Issues

play sound

Temperatures are dropping in the Commonwealth and community action agencies said help is available for those struggling to pay their heating bills…

New Hampshire families whose incomes fall under 350% of the federal poverty level - anything under $109,200 for a family of four - are eligible for the private school voucher program. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

In the race for New Hampshire governor, the future of public education is on the line. Democrat and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig opposes …

Environment

play sound

On this year's California ballot, Proposition 4 has not received much attention but it could have a huge effect on the Golden State. The $10 billion …

play sound

Genetic studies overwhelmingly are based on data from people of European descent. But University of Maryland, Baltimore scientists are working to …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021