Strength, perseverance, integrity and confidence are the characteristics Doris Tate will bring to the office of Arkansas Secretary of State in 2010.

In 1990, Doris Tate made her first bid for Sebastian County Clerk, winning the primary by 37 votes and the general election with nearly 70 percent of the vote. Twenty years later, having been re-elected nine times without an opponent, she still serves in that office. Doris will always be grateful to the many people who played a very important role in that first campaign victory and attributes much of her success to them. Prior to the 1990 election, Doris served as Sebastian County Deputy Clerk and worked as an insurance agent.

Doris is the current president of the Association of Arkansas County Clerks, having served five different years in that position. She was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe in 2008 to serve on the State Board of Election Commissioners.

The role of overseeing election administration and managing a busy government office in Sebastian County is a complex one because it is one of the few Arkansas counties with two courthouses. As County Clerk, Doris has supervised staff at the main courthouse in Fort Smith as well as a separate staff at the South Sebastian County Courthouse in Greenwood. Two offices 20 miles apart, two separate staffs, two election sites in addition to the complex dynamics of the office. While challenging, these circumstances have given Doris many opportunities to prepare for bigger roles in her future.

A very unique aspect of Doris’ experience includes participating in the redistricting process following both the 1990 and 2000 U.S. Census. Knowledge of this process will be crucial for a smooth transition following the November 2010 election in combination with any redistricting necessitated by the 2010 census.

In 2001, Doris also assumed the duties of County Recorder with the responsibility of overseeing land records. An avid historian, she is devoted to preserving and safeguarding the integrity of all public records in her care.
Doris has dedicated many hours to learning the volumes of statutes, codes and regulations associated with elections, post-census redistricting, court records, land records and other official county documents. Like most historians, Doris is a natural teacher. She has been instrumental in training not only her staff but many current and past Arkansas County Clerks, including one of her opponents.

During the past 19 years, Doris has served the citizens of Sebastian County well by making many changes, especially in the area of technology upgrades to better preserve and manage election data and historical records. Just as important is her record for being fair to all who have worked for her, helping many who have come to her office seeking advice or a supportive attitude. Doris considers it a privilege to have worked with many candidates with varying political views over the years. She has made many friends because of her belief that, “once elected, we serve the people, not the party.”

In 1998, Doris had the opportunity to go to Albania to monitor an election after the Communist Party pulled out of that country. Visiting with those who had been political prisoners, locked up because of their desire to live in a Democracy, she realized the right to vote is something that Americans take for granted. Fair elections had always been a top priority for Doris, but after coming face to face with the sacrifices made by the people of Albania to live in a free country, elections became her passion.

Doris was one of seven children born to a union coal miner. Sacrificing to provide shelter, food, clothing and insurance for his family, her father taught his children that if they take a job, they must do it to the best of their ability--a work ethic that Doris practices in every aspect of her life.

Doris became a single Mom in 1980, raising two daughters from the age of 10 and 13. That experience gave her the courage to face many obstacles in life, regardless of how difficult they might be. Juggling work, housekeeping, children’s homework and school activities strengthened her administrative skills, which she considers to her strong suit. Life has thrown many challenges at Doris, but she has chosen to learn and gain strength from those experiences.

Doris Tate has a strong desire to serve the citizens of Arkansas as the next Secretary of State. She will work hard to uphold the responsibilities of the office, following the work ethic taught and practiced by her mother and father. We do hope that you will agree that EXPERIENCE COUNTS and cast your vote to elect DORIS TATE the next ARKANSAS SECRETARY OF STATE.


Professional and Civic Activities

• Association of Arkansas County Clerks
• Association of Arkansas Counties
• International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers (IACRFEOT)
• National Association of County Officials (NACO)
• National Association of Recorders
• The Election Center

Political

• Arkansas Democratic State Party
• Arkansas Senior Democrats
• Sebastian County Central Committee
• Sebastian County Democratic Women

Civic

• Greenwood Rotary Club - Charter Member, Past President, Vice President and President Elect
• Habitat for Humanity (Past Board Member)
• American Cancer Society
• Area Agency on Aging (Past Board Member)
• League of Women Voters (Past Board Member)
• Abilities Unlimited (Past Board Member)