The Washington County Election Commission will decide next week whether to create an early voting center on the University of Arkansas campus, providing readier access to the ballot for thousands of students and faculty concentrated in one place.

It makes perfect sense. It’s environmentally friendly. It undoubtedly would encourage more voter participation.

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But …. by law in Arkansas, the majority of election commissions are now controlled by members from the majority Republican Party. Across the country, Republicans fight efforts to expand voter participation and particularly target voter segments — minorities, poor, young people — with suppression tactics for their tendency to lean toward Democratic candidates.

So it’s simple. Partisan politics vs. ballot access.

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Those in favor of the voting center, led by Associated Student Government, have a petition campaign underway at change.org. Perhaps a strong turnout might influence the Election Commission.