Category: Elections

Why We Have the Electoral College

With another presidential election behind us, many people are once again questioning the wisdom in electing a president through the Electoral College instead of a national popular vote.

Since 1989 the Arkansas Legislature has considered two bills and one resolution attempting to abolish or circumvent the Electoral College.

HJR 1004 of 1989 called on Congress to amend the U.S. Constitution to abolish the Electoral College.

HB 1703 of 2007 and HB 1339 of 2009 amended the way Arkansas would award its electoral votes by awarding all of Arkansas’ electoral votes to the presidential candidate who won the national popular vote.

Ultimately, none of these proposals passed. Other states, like Maine and Nebraska, however, have taken steps to change the way their electoral votes are awarded.

Family Council has always believed it is unwise to meddle with the Electoral College. Below is a video from Dennis Prager’s Pager University highlighting three important things the Electoral College does:

1. Protect against the tyranny of the majority.
2. Encourage coalition-building.
3. Discourage voter fraud.

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Family Council “Business as Usual” About Trump Administration

Little Rock—On Tuesday, businessman Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement, saying, “As far as our work is concerned, the Trump Administration will be business as usual.

“Many people are shocked by the outcome of this election, but we’re going to continue doing what we’ve done for the past twenty-seven years. We’re going to go to the legislature and pass good laws, defeat the bad ones, and speak up for biblical values every chance we get. Since we are primarily a state-based organization, our primary focus at this time is on the January session of the Arkansas Legislature. With solid, conservative majorities in both houses and with the help of Governor Hutchinson, we are looking forward to the best legislative session in our entire twenty-seven year history,” Cox said.

Cox does see some possible bright spots. “With a new administration, we hope the federal government will back off from pushing a social agenda on the states. For instance, the Obama Administration’s push to force schools to let transgender students pick the shower or dressing facility of their choice would have been unimaginable under any previous presidential administration.”

On the appointment of judges, Cox said. “I am cautiously optimistic about Mr. Trump’s promise to appoint federal judges who will be fair on issues like the sanctity of human life and the proper interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. In that regard, his promise is much more appealing than Hillary Clinton’s promise to appoint pro-abortion judges to the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Cox also noted Trump’s promise to repeal the Johnson Amendment, saying, “The little-known Johnson Amendment that was added to the IRS tax code without a fair hearing in Congress has created a lot turmoil for churches and charities over the decades. It restricts free speech and religious liberty by threatening religious Americans with penalties if they weigh in too much on politics. No other group of Americans is singled out like that. Donald Trump promised to repeal the Johnson Amendment at the Republic National Convention. We hope he will follow through on that promise.”

Cox said that the 2016 Presidential Election shows that we are a deeply divided nation. “Some people want a lot more government and others want a lot less. This election didn’t change those numbers.”

Family Council is a conservative education and research organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

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Updated: Voter Registration Deadline is Tuesday, October 11

Tuesday, October 11, is the deadline to register to vote in Arkansas, if you want to vote in the upcoming General Election.

According to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website, you can fill out an application to vote at the following locations:

• County clerk’s office in your home county
• State Revenue Office, Driver Services (pick up a paper form or ask for your
  information to be transmitted electronically)
• Public library or Arkansas State Library
• Public assistance agency
• Disability agency
• Military recruitment office
• Arkansas National Guard

You can also download, print, and mail in a voter registration form. However, to ensure you are properly registered to vote, you may want to go in-person to your county clerk’s office or the Revenue Office.

If you are unsure if you are registered to vote, go to www.voterview.org.

Updated 10-10-2016: The State of Arkansas originally listed the voter registration deadline as Monday, October 10, but that deadline has been extended through Tuesday, October 11, because of the Columbus Day holiday.

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