Taxation without representation in El Dorado?

The News-Times recently published voter regis- tration figures for Union County: A total of 27,290 citizens are registered to vote out of 39,449 citizens living in the county. Of the total — 14,853 are active voters and 12,437 are inactive voters (2017 U.S. Census).

I have operated a business and own property within the city limits of El Dorado for many years. My residence, however, is located outside the city limits, yet in Union County. I pay taxes on both properties — within the city limits and outside the city limits. However, when voting time comes around, I cannot vote for city issues or city officials. There are in fact many other businesses in El Dorado with the same situation. There are also many who live outside the city limits who also pay taxes and work within the city limits yet cannot vote on the city ballot.

Is this not taxation without representation? The economic product of the El Dorado community is produced by folks living within the city and outside the city. Should not all of us have the opportunity to vote on city issues and school issues? Our taxes are paid yet our votes are prohibited! Is this not taxation without representation?

City residents of El Dorado vote on county issues, yet county residents cannot vote on city of El Dorado issues. Changes are occurring in other places and change can occur here in El Dorado, Arkansas. The City Council can make these changes through the Arkansas Secretary of State and thereby increase the number of active voters and decrease the number of inactive voters — and that's a good thing for El Dorado and Union County!

— Kent Stegall, El Dorado