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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 28, 2020

Governor Hutchinson's Weekly Address
Every Vote is Important

NOTE: The subject of Governor Hutchinson’s address this week is the importance of every vote. For newspapers with a publication date after election day that would prefer a different topic, the Governor has provided an alternative print-only address about the state’s response and strategy to concerns about COVID-19.

Governor Hutchinson's weekly radio address can be found in MP3 format and downloaded HERE ([link removed]).

LITTLE ROCK – March 3 is Primary Election Day in Arkansas, and today, to emphasize the importance of voting, I’m going to share the story of a recent election in Arkansas that demonstrates that every vote is important.

In January in Pulaski County, they had a special election to fill the seat of State Representative John Walker, who died in October. None of the four candidates won a majority, which required the two top candidates to compete in a run-off.

When all of the run-off votes were in, the candidates were in an even tie. Over the next ten days, elections officials examined the results and found one more vote to count. It was an absentee ballot that a District 34 voter had mailed from Sweden.

That single vote gave the victory to Democrat Joy Springer, who will face Republican Roderick Tally on Tuesday. Both of those candidates probably have been sharing that story as they encourage their supporters to vote on Tuesday.

I have campaigned for public office many times over the course of the last forty years. And when I was watching the returns come in on election night, believe me, I fully understood that every vote really did matter. 

The ballot box is an equalizer that gives every voter a voice in the governance of our cities, counties, states, and the nation. Often we have a chance to vote on laws that our fellow citizens have put on the ballot, such as the 2016 referendum that passed and legalized medical marijuana in Arkansas.

Legislators occasionally decide to put an issue directly to the people as they did last year. Legislators voted to allow Arkansans the chance to approve the extension of an existing half-cent sales tax that goes directly to the upkeep of our highways.

We will have at least a couple of opportunities this year to participate in our democracy in a tangible way. March 3 is Arkansas’s primary. Democrats and Republicans will vote on their presidential candidate, and voters in District 34 will choose their representative for the state legislature. On November 3, we will decide who will be our president for the next four years.  In addition, there are judicial races in many counties. 

I know that sometimes the lines are long and voting takes time, but you may be that one vote that puts your candidate into office. Millions of Americans have written the history of our nation by participating in our elections. A trip to the voting booth links us to the past as we determine our future. Please take the time to vote. The vote that makes the difference may be yours.

 NOTE: This is an alternative print-only address about the state’s response and strategy to concerns about COVID-19.

Governor Hutchinson's Weekly Address

‘Arkansas As Prepared as Possible’ for COVID-19,
Learning More Daily, Governor Hutchinson writes
Health Department Puts 74 Employees Full Time on Virus Watch

LITTLE ROCK – When the news about the coronavirus emerged, the members of Arkansas’s health care and medical communities began putting in place the plans to fight the illness.

More than two months ago, the Arkansas Department of Health designated 74 of its employees to work exclusively on COVID-19. These doctors, nurses, and other agency employees communicate regularly with local, state and federal partners.

So far, we don’t have a confirmed case.

The Department of Health considers every report significant and will work with the appropriate partners to investigate each. In the event there is a confirmed case, the department will publicize that information as soon as possible. The health of the general public is its first responsibility.

There are several ways the federal and state governments are cooperating to prevent the spread of the virus. Most of efforts are focused on people who have traveled internationally in the past several weeks.

The United States is routing each incoming international flight through one of eleven airports. The Centers for Disease Control distributes flight manifestos that identifies every passenger who has visited a Level 2 or Level 3 country. China and South Korea currently are the only Level 3 countries. Travelers are screened for fever or other symptoms before they are allowed to board a flight to their final U.S. destination. Anyone who tests positively will not be allowed to leave the city where they arrived until symptom free for fourteen days, which is the incubation period.

The health department will ask those in Arkansas who exhibit symptoms to voluntarily remain in at home in a voluntary quarantine for fourteen days. Those who test positive for the illness will be ordered to remain in isolation in their home. If an infected person refuses to remain in isolation and endangers the health of the general population, agents of the health department or law enforcement may get involved.

We all can take the simple, common-sense precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus that we take to avoid spreading a cold or the flu. For instance, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw away the tissue, and wash your hands for thirty seconds. If you don’t have tissue, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth if you haven’t washed your hands recently. Clean and disinfect telephones and other objects that many people touch. Stay home when you are sick.

In Arkansas, the Department of Health is the lead agency for monitoring COVID-19 and responding to all concerns. The department has set up its command system and will receive daily reports from around the state. The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management is prepared to activate its operations center if that becomes necessary.

One of our nation’s biggest challenges during this time is rumor control. Many in our nation are understandably on edge and are quick to pass along unsubstantiated information. If you hear of a possible case, call the health department in your county. The Department of Health will use all of the communication tools at its disposal to report any case as soon as it is confirmed.

We are following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control. Arkansas is as prepared as possible to handle an outbreak of coronavirus. We learn more about the virus every day, which strengthens our ability to fight it. More importantly, we are working diligently to prevent COVID-19 from moving into Arkansas.

CONTACT: Press Shop ([email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or 501.682.3642)

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Governor's Office State Capitol | 500 Woodlane Street, Suite 250 | Little Rock, AR 72201 US

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