Ex-globetrotter legislator wants on the ballot

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Former legislator Fred Smith argued in Pulaski County court on Thursday he should be allowed on the ballot for the May primary.

Smith filed for House District 50 on the final day of filing on March 1st.  The Arkansas Democratic Party allowed him to file but later said he was ineligible because he did not have a felony conviction expunged at the time of filing.

State Senator David Burnett (D-Osceola) is representing Smith in the proceeding.  He told circuit judge Mary McGowan that Smith doesn't have a felony conviction for theft, rather a deferred sentence that allowed Smith to have the charged dismissed after one year.

McGowan told the parties she would make a written ruling soon.

The Secretary of State's office says ballots with Fred Smith's name on them have already been printed and are scheduled to ship to Cross and Crittenden counties on Friday.