State Bill Would Make Sheriffs Nonpartisan

Voters in 2014’s general election might not have to consider if they want the sheriff to be Republican or Democrat, according to a bill filed in the state Senate.

A bill filed Jan. 30 by Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, proposes to make sheriff’s races nonpartisan. The bill is set to be reviewed by the Senate’s City, County and Local Affairs Committee led by Irvin.

The committee didn’t review the bill at its meeting Tuesday, said Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, D-Fayetteville, a committee member.

“I believe that the sheriff and sheriff’s offices really fall in the line of the judicial branch of government more so than the legislative side because of the nature of what they do,” Irvin said. “When we vote on a candidate for sheriff, I believe we should vote on their qualifications of law enforcement.”

Candidates for county races, including the sheriff, county judge and justices of the peace file to run for office through political parties. Judicial candidates, such as those seeking circuit court positions, do not.

The bill proposes voters cast ballots for sheriff during general elections in November. Candidates for judicial races run during primary elections in the spring.

Sheriff’s candidates would pay $500 to run or file a petition. That petition would have to contain 1 percent of the number of registered voters from the previous gubernatorial election, according to the bill.

“There is some concern the $500 filing fee is probably too low and the filing fee should be somewhat higher,” Lindsey said.

Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder, past president of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association, said the filing fee should be based on a percentage of the sheriff’s salary. The association reviewed the bill, though support for the bill was mixed, he said.

“We're certainly in line with the circuit judges,” Helder said. “0ur job is law enforcement and handling our jails. In this day and age, party politics should not play a part in law enforcement role.”

The Arkansas Democratic Party doesn’t support the bill, said Candace Martin, communication director. She said the bill, if approved, would create a slippery slope in particular with campaign financing.

Political parties must follow stringent campaign finance laws for the sake of transparency, she said.

“By running on a nonpartisan status, you have few finance laws,” Martin said. “One person with a great amount of wealth could decide who is going to be the county sheriff by how much he gives.”

The Republican Party of Arkansas didn’t respond for comment.

The possibility of a sheriff runoff election could cost Washington County tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars, said Jennifer Price, election coordinator.

Runoff elections in Springdale, Fayetteville and West Fork cost about a combined $17,000 last year, she said. Price estimated the cost of a countywide runoff election with workers in all polling places would cost $50,000 to $60,000.

Upcoming Events