Spring Break
Canvassers inform voters of proposed adoption ban
Amanda Rhea
Issue date: 9/29/08 Section: News
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The proposed ban, which will appear on November ballots as Initiated Act 1, would apply a blanket rule to adoptions in the state, barring unmarried cohabitating couples - heterosexual and homosexual alike - from adopting or fostering children in Arkansas.
"That displaces several kids and takes away so many different opportunities," said junior political science and history major Heather Smith, president of the Henderson chapter of Young Democrats.
Smith explained that the proposed ban would ultimately hurt the children of Arkansas because it would inhibit the foster care system and shrink the already-limited pool of potential adoptive parents.
"What we're trying to do is convince people to vote 'no' on Act 1 so children that are in foster homes or orphanages have the chance to be adopted by unmarried couples that are cohabitating and by same-sex couples," said Smith.
Sept. 27 marked the Arkansas Families First "state-wide kickoff for canvassing," Smith said.
The Henderson Young Democrats will continue their canvassing effort this weekend on Oct. 4 and 5.
"We're going to try to get 10 to 15 people out canvassing," said Smith.
The canvassers will cover parts of Arkadelphia, and - depending on the number of volunteers they have - possibly Gurdon.
According to Smith, focusing on a social issue such as the potential adoption ban is relatively new territory for the Henderson Young Democrats. She said the group usually focuses only on political issues, such as voter registration and campaign rallies.
"It's very different, and I've had a lot of mixed emotions with the members in the group," she said. "Some of them wanted this to be kind of non-Henderson sponsored, rather just individual participation."
However, Smith decided to get the Henderson Young Democrats involved after Laura Bellows of Arkansas Families First encouraged groups across the state to take up the task of canvassing neighborhoods and informing voters of the proposed ban and its consequences.
"We're keeping the issue focused on the kids," said Smith.
Like many opponents of the proposed ban, Smith worries that uninformed voters may leave that part of the ballot blank or arbitrarily vote "yes" without fully understanding the implications of Act 1.
"In this county, with the wet/dry issue also being on the ballot, there is expected to be massive voter turnout," said Smith.
Anyone interested in canvassing with the Henderson Young Democrats this weekend should contact Smith as soon as possible at hs153730@reddies.hsu.edu.
For more information about Initiated Act 1, visit the Arkansas Families First Web site at www.arkansasfamiliesfirst.org.
The Arkansas Family Council, which introduced the ballot measure, also has a Web site: www.familycouncil.org.
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