This week, our country celebrated the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, securing women across the nation their constitutional right to vote and participate in democracy more fully. 

This milestone did not come easily – women from every state had spent decades tirelessly advocating for equal rights, as enjoyed by their husbands, fathers, brothers and sons. Generations of women, spanning many ages, races and economic backgrounds remained steadfast in their fight for access to the ballot box, and their persistence paid off when in 1920, thirty-six states approved the constitutional amendment that delivered women’s suffrage.

However, Natural State women and forward-thinking men were long part of this effort, building momentum quickly following the conclusion of the Civil War. At the 1868 Arkansas Constitutional Convention, delegate Miles Ledford Langley initially proposed a law to expand voting rights to citizens over 21 who could read and write English, and spoke on the importance of women’s suffrage – reportedly met by the laughter of his audience. 

Regardless, the movement continued to gain significant traction as multiple powerful groups formed, such as the Arkansas Woman Suffrage Association, the Political Equality League and the National Woman’s Party, to push for women’s right to vote.

Before the U.S. ratified the 19th Amendment, State Representative John Riggs introduced legislation in early 1917 to permit women to vote in state primary elections. Passed by both the Arkansas House and Senate, Governor Charles Brough announced it was an honor to approve the measure with his signature, and Arkansas became an early leader in extending limited women’s suffrage. The following year, over 40,000 women came to the polls to vote in the primaries and successfully elected over 50 female delegates – demonstrating the strength of our state’s suffrage movement.

When it came time for the then 48 states to vote to ratify the 19th Amendment, Arkansas moved quickly, becoming just the 12th state to express its support. By August 26, 1920, it became law, and with newfound constitutional rights and influence, Arkansan women were emboldened to continue carving out spaces for themselves and the female voice in American democracy.

In 1929, Fannie Pearl Oldfield won a special election after the death of her husband, William, who represented Arkansas’s Second Congressional District, and became our state’s first woman elected to the United States Congress. At the time, “Pearl” was one of only eight women, trailblazing a strong and positive example of Natural State leadership on the national stage. 

Just a few years later in 1931, Hattie Ophelia Caraway was appointed by Arkansas’s Governor to fill the seat of her late husband, Senator Thaddeus Caraway, who had passed away in office. Hattie went on to become not only the first woman in the nation to be elected to the United States Senate, but the first woman to serve a full term and be successfully reelected. Notably, she was also the first woman to preside over the Senate floor – a now daily occurrence in the modern Congress. Her portrait hangs outside of the U.S. Senate chamber, lest we forget her efforts to open new opportunities for future generations.

As we celebrate this tremendous milestone in American history, I am proud to highlight our state’s specific contributions and commitment to fighting for all of the opportunities promised to every citizen of our nation. The 19th Amendment represents another significant realization of the Founders’ vision and our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Summer is fast approaching, and I know many Arkansans are looking forward to spending quality time with friends, family and loved ones. For some, this might mean exploring a new city, visiting a national park on a family trip or even preparing for an internship opportunity away from home. As you look ahead to the summer travel season, booking flights and packing your bags, make sure you are aware of an important, upcoming deadline: on May 7, 2025, all Americans will be required to present “REAL ID” compliant identification, or another acceptable form of ID, in order to board a domestic flight. 

If you have not heard of this requirement before, you are certainly not alone. While the REAL ID Act of 2005 was enacted by Congress 20 ago in response to the findings of the 9/11 Commission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the implementation deadline multiple times over the past two decades. However, all indications point to the May 7 deadline of this year to be fully enforced and final.

The purpose of the REAL ID Act is to protect Americans from identity fraud and the malicious intentions of bad actors by implementing a secure and consistent standard nationwide. The REAL ID card itself has increased physical security features that make it more difficult to counterfeit or duplicate. Further, more documents are required to prove your identity, citizenship and proof of residence during the application process. This two-pronged approach is essential to making sure that REAL IDs end up in the right hands.

While the process to apply for and receive your REAL ID can feel tedious, it is important to start taking action and begin sooner than later to make sure your planned and future travel is not at risk of disruption. 

To apply for your REAL ID, you will need to schedule an appointment at an Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration state Revenue Office, and eventually provide the following documents:

• Proof of legal residence (a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. Passport)
• Proof of Identity (driver’s license; military, work or school ID; marriage certificate; vehicle registration or title; or a health insurance card)
• Proof of Social Security Number (which can include your social security card or a W-2 form or pay stub that shows your full name and SSN)
• Proof of Residency (Two documents such as: a gas, water or electric bill that includes your full name; a valid fishing or hunting license; paycheck stub or bank account statement; or a renters or motor vehicle insurance policy)

If you are unable to locate one or more of the necessary documents, you will need to contact the appropriate agency. For example, if you misplaced your social security card, you would need to contact the Social Security Administration. As always, if you encounter any problems involving a federal agency, please reach out to my office. We are always happy to assist. 

While organizing a trip can be fun, it is crucial to plan for the most important detail of all if you intend to board a flight – having access to your REAL ID or other acceptable identification. Making an appointment and collecting the necessary documents now can save you potential delays and frustration in the future.

With less than a month until the annual deadline to file federal taxes, it is time for all of us to dot our i’s and cross all the t’s to make sure our returns get processed as quickly and accurately as possible.

Every year my office receives calls for help from Arkansans whose refunds are delayed. In most cases, the delay relates to the IRS needing to verify a person’s identity. Sadly, this can happen because of an identity theft issue where someone files a return using someone else’s Social Security number. But, just as often the identity verification happens because of common errors that plague us all during this annual process. 

In an effort to reduce these and other common filing problems, officials at the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) recently shared their best tips to help ensure your return is processed smoothly and swiftly.

Among the most important is to triple-check that all the basic information is correct for you and your dependents. Many returns get delayed because of simple errors with dates of birth, misspelled names, a changed address and other identifying information that needs to match IRS records. This is equally important if someone is helping you file your taxes. It is just as easy for a tax-preparer to transpose a number, so be sure to proofread the final product for those details before you send in any tax return.

Another common slowdown can happen when filers try to use their pay stubs to verify their income. TAS officials say it is much better to use a year-end income tax statement such as a W-2 or 1099. In addition, be sure to complete all the necessary worksheets and include all the attachments to back up any credits and deductions you are claiming. Missing information could trigger a review and require you to do significant follow up with the IRS.

Over the years, E-filing has become the most efficient way to file. But even people comfortable with this process sometimes rely too much on the technology and end up suffering through a delay. Mostly importantly, make sure you are using data from the correct tax year. If you’ve used the same software before, it will likely import the prior year’s data automatically. You will need to make sure the numbers are correct for tax year 2024.

Another unfortunately common problem occurs because of the rash of identity theft. If the IRS has issued you an Identity Protection PIN for this reason, be sure to use it. Identity theft victims may receive a new IP PIN each year from the IRS and your return won’t go smoothly without the proper one.