Primaries, Runoffs, and Generals: Understanding Elections

Elections

The May primary elections are less than 4 weeks away. Between the primary elections, runoff elections, special elections, and the November General Election, it’s no wonder people routinely express confusion over exactly what each election is and what their vote does.

As Election Day approaches, we thought it would be a good idea to type up a simple primer of what each election is and what it does. Whether you’re a student who is just learning about elections or an adult who missed some of the finer nuances of self-government in civics class, we hope you will find this brief primer helpful in understanding what is going on this year.

Primary Elections

Elections are held in even-number years (with a few exceptions, which we will mention shortly). In Arkansas, some elected officials serve two-year terms (like members of the Arkansas House of Representatives) while others serve four-year terms (like the Governor and members of the Arkansas Senate).

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Family Council Surveys Candidates for 2014

Arkansas Voter's Guide,

This week Family Council mailed surveys to candidates running for state and federal office. Survey results will be included in the Arkansas Voter’s Guide for the Primary Election in May and the General Election in November.

This year’s state and federal surveys cover a variety of topics important to Arkansans. Below are copies of the surveys.

Survey for Candidates for Federal Office

Below is a list of statements. Please specify whether you support, oppose, or are undecided about each statement.

  1. Abortion: The 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that expanded abortion.
  2. Same-Sex Marriage: The 2013 United States v. Windsor Supreme Court decision that expanded same-sex marriage.
  3. Obamacare: The 2010 Affordable Care Act, commonly known as “Obamacare.”
  4. Balanced Budget: An amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring a balanced federal budget every year.
  5. Oil: Building the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada through the United States.

Survey for Candidates for State Office

Below is a list of statements. Please specify whether you support, oppose, or are undecided about each statement.

  1. Abortion: The 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that expanded abortion.
  2. Marijuana: The 2014 proposed ballot measure sponsored by Arkansans for Responsible Medicine to legalize medical marijuana.
  3. Education: The Common Core State Standards being implemented in Arkansas’ public schools.
  4. Guns: Allowing citizens who may legally own a handgun to visibly carry an unconcealed handgun without a permit—also known as “open carry.”
  5. Medicaid Expansion: The Arkansas Private Option law passed in 2013 to increase the number of people receiving health insurance through Medicaid by using tax dollars to buy health insurance from private insurance companies under the Affordable Care Act.

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Photos from the Capitol Building Yesterday

Arkansas, Elections,

Between the budget session, candidate filing, and a TeenPact gathering, a lot went on at the Arkansas Capitol Building yesterday. Below are a few photos just to give you an idea of the day’s events.

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TeenPact is meeting this week at the State Capitol. Their leadership group paused for lunch in the Capitol Café. About 40 home schoolers are attending this year’s week-long seminar at the Capitol. This prestigious national program teaches home schoolers about the inner workings of government.

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