Early voting started Monday for the Nov. 4 general election, so if you're a registered voter, the spotlight is now on you.
For months -- or is it years? -- we've watched as listened as races have heated up, as candidates for local, state and federal offices have debated, and our trash cans have been repeatedly filled with door hangars and "junk" mail. Now it's time to act. If you're "mad as hell" and not going to take it any more, give voice to that reaction at the polling place. If you're pleased as punch with the way things are going, go give your candidates an enthusiastic vote.
Although the responsibilities of citizenship extend far beyond Election Day, casting a vote is the ultimate expression of the value each person places on that citizenship. Proud to be an American? Prove it. Vote.
And our local election officials and Quorum Courts have made it even simpler these days. In Washington County, early voting sites now number six: The courthouse at Dickson Street and College Avenue in Fayetteville; the Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club on Rupple Road in Fayetteville; Medical Arts Pharmacy on East Huntsville in Fayetteville; the Rodeo of the Ozarks Community Center on East Emma St. in Springdale; Arvest Ballpark on South 56th St. in Springdale; and Prairie Grove City Hall on East Douglas St.
In Benton County, there are nine early voting sites: At the county clerk offices Bentonville, Rogers and Siloam Springs; Iberia Bank in Bentonville; Riordan Hall in Bella Vista; Intrust Bank in Rogers; the Gravette Civic Center; the Rogers/Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce office in Lowell; and the Centerton Firehouse.
Go to voterview.org to check out your ballot. Then get moving.
Hutchinson For Governor
Our endorsement for governor goes to Asa Hutchinson, a man whose professional life has prepared him for executive leadership, whether it's through public service as a congressman or U.S. attorney or his role in helping to lead the Department of Homeland Security under President Bush.
Hutchinson fits the political values of a lot of Arkansans and is a reasonable negotiator who could work with lawmakers of any party. He's focused on economic development and job creation, recognizing its power in driving improvements in education, taxes, health care and many other issues Arkansans face.
And while good candidates can arise from anywhere in Arkansas, it doesn't hurt that Hutchinson's from Gravette.
Steel The One For Attorney General
Nate Steel isn't a household name here in Northwest Arkansas. He's a former prosecuting attorney from Nashville who comes from a family of attorneys. He's served well as a state legislator since 2010. And he's not Leslie Rutledge.
Rutledge, the GOP contender, earned our endorsement in her primary last spring, but in the months since, evidence has grown that she's not a good fit to be Arkansas' top lawyer. Her botched voter registration, an email any reasonable person would view as, at best, racially insensitive, and her almost consuming focus on what's happening in Washington, D.C., more than in Arkansas tell us there's a better option.
Steel is a reasonable, level-headed attorney who has experience enforcing Arkansas' laws. He's focused on helping Arkansas legislators develop good (i.e., defensible) legislation. He's got the skills and knowledge to continue Arkansas' fairly strong history with attorneys general.
Commentary on 10/22/2014