The Secretary of State serves as the chief election official in Arkansas. The office is responsible for both working with all 75 counties to run smooth elections and for providing voter education to all Arkansas citizens. The Secretary of State should be fair and non-partisan in the conduct of elections.
Pat O'Brien understands that election laws have changed dramatically since the advent of the Help American Vote Act of 2002 following the debacle in Florida during the 2000 Presidential Election. He believes that election integrity is central to gaining the trust of voters and showing that the election results are valid. Pat wants to make sure all 75 counties have a trained and accountable election coordinator to make sure nothing falls through the cracks during an election.
Pat O'Brien supports making it as convenient as possible for voters to both register and cast their ballots. He wants to make it easy to update your address by requiring that the Department of Motor Vehicles ask each person renewing their car tags if they want to update their voter information. Pat also wants to take virtual ballots statewide. This innovation has allowed Pulaski County voters to view online the exact ballot they would vote on prior to entering the polls. Pat wants to extend early voting by increasing the number of locations in each county and by advertising the convenience of early voting.
Pat O'Brien believes in election integrity. When he cleaned up the voter rolls in Pulaski County he received assistance from a bi-partisan task force. When he is elected Secretary of State, Pat will create another bi-partisan task force to re-write the laws regarding election recounts. We have learned the hard lessons from Florida in 2000 and Minnesota in 2008 that election recounts are combative and divisive events. Pat wants everyone to get on board and agree to the rules of the games before the election.
Pat O'Brien has a proven record administering elections. He cleaned up the largest jurisdiction in the state and turned a train wreck into a point of pride. Pat will ensure that elections in Arkansas are modern, fair and that every vote counts.
Learn more about the Secretary of State's role in elections here: http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/elections.html
