Countdown to Election Continues As Early Voters Turn Out in Droves

On today's edition of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Report, Roby Brock of Talk Business and Politics, speaks with Arkansas U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton about his reelection campaign, including not appearing in a debate against his Libertarian challenger Ricky Harrington, and Issues 1, 2 and 3 on the Arkansas ballot.

If Issue 3 is approved, amendments to the Arkansas Constitution would change the process for the submission, challenge and approval of proposed citizen-initiated acts, constitutional amendments and referenda. Proponents say it should be more difficult to change the state's Constitution. Opponents say Issue 3 is trying to trick people into disenfranchising themselves.

A new poll from Talk Business and Politics shows big leads in the state for Republican U.S. Senator Tom Cotton and President Donald Trump. John Brummett, political writer for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and Roby Brock, with Talk Business and Politics, discuss what this means for the state's overall political makeup.

Issue 2 asks voters to approve changing term limits for the General Assembly described in Amendment 73 of the Arkansas Constitution. The amendment would eliminate lifetime term limits, but require breaks in service for future state senators and representatives.

Issue 1, which was referred to the voters by the Arkansas General Assembly, proposes amending the Arkansas Constitution to make permanent a half-cent sales tax that currently helps fund the state's four-lane highway system, county roads and city streets. Proponents say every county will receive funding from the tax, so all Arkansans will benefit.