Voter Suppression in Crittenden County + Anita Bell’s Conflict of Interest
Last week, voters in West Memphis, AR got some encouraging news: early voting would be restored. It’s a big win for voting advocates and those who sued the Crittenden County Election Commission for their egregious attempt to suppress Black voters in West Memphis. But why would election commissioners go to such lengths to keep Black voters home?
We’re glad you asked: the blatant attempt to suppress Black votes in West Memphis stems from election official Anita Bell using her position to benefit her daughter-in-law, Tammi Northcutt Bell. Tammi is a white candidate running for Arkansas House District 63. Tammi’s opponent, Lincoln Barnett, is a Black man and the well respected mayor of Hughes, AR.
It behooved Anita to try and curb the Black vote in Crittenden County, which would certainly help her daughter-in-law, Tammi. So Anita, along with Republican election commissioner Frank Barton, worked some election suppression magic to try and block early voting locations in West Memphis — a predominantly Black area — to make it harder for Democratic voters, including many Black voters, to cast their ballots. And they almost succeeded. Thank goodness West Memphis voters stood up to the attack and sued the commission.
So to recap: Tammi Northcutt Bell is running against a Black candidate, and her mother-in-law’s actions seem designed to tip the scales in her favor. Despite a court ruling reinstating early voting at two West Memphis locations, Anita Bell and her allies are fighting to appeal the decision, showing clear intent to limit voting access for Black residents.
This troubling conflict of interest is a stark example of election rigging. Voters in West Memphis should be aware of these underhanded tactics and make sure their voices are heard by turning out to vote in this crucial election.
