Knowledge is Power: Arkansas Government 101: Special Election Reform

Cities, counties, and school districts have special elections at random times throughout the year to raise taxes. Currently, these elections can occur at basically anytime during the year rather than at the general or primary election date. Because of the random dates for elections, turnout is low, and tax increases pass overwhelmingly. SB723 of 2017 by Sen. Dave Wallace and Rep. Justin Gonzales would have reformed special elections to increase turnout and provide more local control over local tax increases. Take this quiz below to learn the statistics on these tax increase elections and how the reform efforts were derailed and the bill fell one vote short of passing.

Question Title

* 1. According to the Tax Foundation, where does Arkansas rank for combined state/local sales tax rates?

20th Highest

15th Highest

10th Highest

3rd Highest

Question Title

* 2. According to the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics (ACRE), how much do special elections cost taxpayers each year to hold these elections?

$10,000

$50,000

$100,000

$200,000

Question Title

* 3. According to (ACRE), how much have taxpayers spent from 1981 - 2016 to hold special elections?

$3.5 million

$5.0 million

$6.3 million

$7.4 million

Question Title

* 4. According to ACRE, what was the voter turnout for local sales tax special elections held between 1981 - 2016.

64%

43%

28%

19%

Question Title

* 5. According to ACRE, what was the pass rate of local sales tax increase special elections held between 1981 - 2016?

45%

57%

65%

77%

Question Title

* 6. According to ACRE, when these same local sales tax increase elections were held at the general election, what was the pass rate of these tax increases?

44%

56%

60%

70%

Question Title

* 7. What was the result of SB723, the bill for special election reform that would require that special elections must be held at the primary or general election date or similar dates in off-election years?

The bill passed both chambers and was signed into law by the Governor.

The bill passed both chambers but was vetoed by Governor Asa Hutchinson.

The bill passed the House but failed in the Senate.

The bill passed the Senate and fell one vote short in the House because State Rep. James Sturch voted YES and then walked out of the chamber to cancel his vote and fail the bill.

Question Title

* 8. Have you subscribed to Conduit for Action's email list to get new surveys and articles automatically sent to your inbox?

Yes.

No. Enter email HERE if you wish to subscribe.

Question Title

* 1. According to the Tax Foundation, where does Arkansas rank for combined state/local sales tax rates?

Question Title

* 2. According to the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics (ACRE), how much do special elections cost taxpayers each year to hold these elections?

Question Title

* 3. According to (ACRE), how much have taxpayers spent from 1981 - 2016 to hold special elections?

Question Title

* 4. According to ACRE, what was the voter turnout for local sales tax special elections held between 1981 - 2016.

Question Title

* 5. According to ACRE, what was the pass rate of local sales tax increase special elections held between 1981 - 2016?

Question Title

* 6. According to ACRE, when these same local sales tax increase elections were held at the general election, what was the pass rate of these tax increases?

Question Title

* 7. What was the result of SB723, the bill for special election reform that would require that special elections must be held at the primary or general election date or similar dates in off-election years?

Question Title

* 8. Have you subscribed to Conduit for Action's email list to get new surveys and articles automatically sent to your inbox?

Question Title

* 9. In what town do you live?