SOS candidates debate how the people should rule

By STEVE BRAWNER

How should the people rule in a state whose motto is “the people rule”? Arkansas’ three secretary of state candidates debated the answers before the Arkansas Press Association June 26.

Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, has sponsored numerous laws he believes would reform the initiative process. Democrat Kelly Grappe and Libertarian Michael Pakko said those laws instead would make the process too hard.

In Arkansas, laws and constitutional amendments can be initiated either through the Legislature or by citizens. The latter must qualify their proposal through the attorney general’s office and then gather voter signatures that the secretary of state certifies. Their efforts often are subject to successful court challenges. 

One of Hammer’s laws would require canvassers to check a signer’s ID. Another would require canvassers to read the ballot title aloud to a potential signer or ensure the signer reads it. Another would require canvassers to inform petitioners that petition fraud is a crime. There were others. 

On June 30, U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks issued a summary judgment against those legislative provisions and others. It’s all still working its way through the court process.

Hammer said the laws were supported by a majority of legislators, the governor and others who “recognized that over the years that our Constitution has become pimped out.” The laws helped Arkansas be ranked tied for first for election integrity by the conservative Heritage Foundation, he said.

Grappe said the voter initiative process is a “sacred rite” that Hammer’s legislation made too difficult for grassroots organizations. Some volunteers now fear participating. She said the secretary of state should provide ballot question committees clear documented processes, training and education.

Pakko called Hammer’s laws “a direct assault on the principle of Regnat Populus,” which is the state’s motto and means “the people rule.” If the laws survive court challenges, they would “eviscerate completely the ability of citizens to petition their government.” Only big money interests would be able to participate in the initiative process, he said.

He spoke from experience about the challenge of gathering signatures. He has had to do so for the past seven election cycles because his party’s candidates for governor and president have yet to reach 3% in an election. That may change this year.

Otherwise, the three candidates agreed that Arkansas’ elections are secure, and there’s no need for a paper ballot system. Hammer said election officials currently count votes accurately, as shown in a recent six-county recount in his secretary of state primary runoff. 

Grappe said elections are secure and that she’s not advocating for paper ballots, although the law gives counties that choice, and she would support them. Pakko noted that the current system already uses machine-fed paper ballots.

The three also addressed Arkansas’ low voter turnout. Grappe said she wants to help more Arkansans “plug in,” which starts with being transparent and building trust. Hammer said he would champion civic engagement. He said he plans to be in the office at 7 a.m. and out by 9 a.m. so he can travel the state.

Pakko said the key is increasing competition. Too few races are contested.

All three opposed increasing the federal government’s role in Arkansas elections, which President Trump has championed through his SAVE America Act. It would require proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate when registering, and a valid photo ID when voting. 

Hammer noted those provisions already exist in Arkansas law. He said one federal government role would be ensuring voters don’t vote in multiple states. 

Grappe said states are in charge of voting. She said she keeps voter registration cards in her car and that people don’t carry birth certificates with them. She said election fraud is rare, that the system is working, and that the SAVE America Act could create problems for married women who have changed their last name. 

Pakko said he also carries registration cards in his truck and said noncitizen voting is rare, so federal legislation is unnecessary. The SAVE America Act would prevent or discourage Americans from voting and would burden election officials, he said. 

All three deserve credit for debating. Hammer gets credit because, as the heavily favored Republican, he had nothing to gain by taking the stage. Grappe and Pakko deserve credit for representing underdog minority parties that more closely align with their beliefs. It would be easier just to put an “R” by their name.

Thanks to all three, Arkansans will have a contested election for the office that administers contested elections. That’s a good thing in a state whose motto is “the people rule.”

Steve Brawner’s column is syndicated to 24 news outlets in Arkansas. Email him at brawnersteve@mac.com.