Baker Backs Amendment Guaranteeing Secret Ballot in Union Elections (UPDATE – Proposed Ballot Title Text)
It has been over a week since I have posted about the U.S. Senate race and almost a month since I have mentioned Card Check. So State Sen. Gilbert Baker helps me out today by giving me a story that combines both.
According to an AP story, a group called Save Our Secret Ballot in Arkansas filed a proposed state constitutional amendment with the Secretary of State that will require union election to be conducted by secret ballot. Sen. Gilbert Baker chairs the group.
As I have discussed ad nauseum here Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s ever-changing position on card check which would open up union elections. Currently, she is against it.
Could Baker’s support for this proposed amendment be a sign that he may be getting in the race? Either way, we should find out soon. Appearing on KARN on April 14, Baker said he will make his decision within the next “two or three weeks” which means by the first part of next week.
UPDATE – This is obviously subject to the Attorney General’s approval, which will only then begin the petition gathering process but here is the text of what the SOS group submitted to the Attorney General’s office…
Popular Name – An Amendment Concerning the Right to Vote by Secret Ballot
Ballot Title – A Proposed Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Preserve and Protect the Fundamental Right of Individuals to Vote by Secret Ballot; that Where Local, State, or Federal Law Requires Elections for Public Office or Ballot Measures, or Requires Designation or Authorizations for Employee Representation, the Right of Individuals to Vote by Secret Ballot Shall Be Guaranteed.
Text – Section 1 – Right of Indiviuals (sic) to Vote – The fundamental right of individuals to vote by secret ballot shall be preserved and protected.
Section 2 – Secret Ballot – Where local, state, or federal law requires elections for public office or ballot measures, or requires designations or authorizations for employee representation, the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot shall be guaranteed.
Also, weighing in on the matter is blogging Speaker of the House Robbie Wills who speculates that Baker’s move may mean he is not going to run against Sen. Lincoln. Wills writes, “Might this mean Gilbert has found something to do in the 2010 election season other than run against U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln? I think so.”
It is good to see Robbie join me in the political prognostications. I hope to see more of this on his blog. Question to Robbie, if Baker runs for U.S. Senate and wins, will you run for his seat?