In a shameful display of voter suppression, Republican-led election commissioners in Crittenden County are actively working to prevent Black voters in West Memphis from casting their ballots early.
The county’s Election Commission Chair, Frank G. Barton, has blocked all early voting locations in West Memphis, where a significant portion of Black residents reside. It’s a clear attempt to skew election outcomes that will favor Republican candidates by making voting as difficult as possible for those who traditionally vote for Democratic candidates.
Some context: two years ago, a West Memphis early voting site was held at First Baptist Church, which is a predominantly white evangelical church. But this year it was eliminated as an early voting site, though no one knows why.
As a result, Commissioner Pulliaum proposed an early voting site at Seventh Street Church of Christ, a predominantly Black church, which agreed to be an early voting site this election year. However, Barton adjourned the meeting without any decision on Seventh Street Church of Christ, defiantly blocking early voting in West Memphis entirely.
Residents sued, arguing two main points: 1) First Baptist was established as an early voting site two years ago, and the commission never voted to remove it. Consequently, First Baptist must remain an early voting site this year. 2) The Crittenden County clerk, Paula Brown, said she would designate Seventh Street Church of Christ as the early voting site, in lieu of the county courthouse. The suit argues this is correct and Seventh Street should be enforced as an early voting location in West Memphis.
The second argument is pertinent because GOP Commissioner Barton stated the clerk was out of bounds in designating Seventh Street Church of Christ as the early voting location. To make sure she knew her place, Barton said the election commission would not supply any resources to the Seventh Street site, even if a higher authority ordered him to do so.
The circuit court judge rightfully found fault with Barton’s abuse of power and blatant voter suppression attempt, and the commission was ordered to mandate Seventh Street Church of Christ as a fully resourced early voting site.
Shortly thereafter, the Crittenden Election Commission met and voted to appeal the court’s decision. In a room packed full of concerned constituents eager to have their voices heard, Barton took no public comment during the meeting; he adjourned and snuck out the back door with a police escort.
This blatant abuse of power and disregard for democracy shows that Crittenden County election commissioners are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to silence Black voices.
Voters in West Memphis should be asking themselves one thing: if commissioners are working this hard to stop you from voting, there must be a reason. Don’t let them win — show up and make your voice heard.
Deadline to register to vote is October 7.
Early Voting begins Monday, October 21.
Seventh Street Church of Christ:
899 N 7th St, West Memphis, AR 72301
