The Lawfare Persists: Decorated Army Colonel Faces Criminal Charges in Arkansas For “Electioneering” After Conducting an Exit Poll | The Gateway Pundit | by Brian Lupo

In the wake of the divisive 2020 Presidential Election, the phenomenon of lawfare, particularly in relation to electoral processes, has surged across the United States. While occasional victories occur, the battle continues, as evidenced by a recent push in a staunchly Republican state to shift toward hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots, effectively ousting voting machines.

Among the notable legal duels, President Donald Trump has faced a racketeering charge in Georgia along with various Republican electors and conspirators, until a judicial twist saw District Attorney Fani Willis removed from the case.

In another courtroom drama, the former Clerk of Mesa County, Tina Peters, recently received a nine-year prison sentence for her involvement in ensuring the preservation of election records prior to a “Trusted Build” mandated by the Secretary of State, which threatened to obliterate the 2020 election data before legal retention deadlines.

Meanwhile, in Michigan, the criminal cases against the Republican alternate electors were dismissed last month as the judge determined insufficient evidence for the alleged crimes against them. Similarly, proceedings against Arizona’s electors have hit a snag after it was revealed that the grand jury that indicted them was not fully briefed on the nuances of the Electors Clause during their impaneling.

Arkansas Charges Veteran Colonel Over Hand Counted Ballot Advocacy

As reported by The Gateway Pundit, Searcy County, Arkansas proudly declared itself the first county in the state to exclusively utilize hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots. After a rocky start in the 2024 Primary but a seamless 2024 General Election, attempts by the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners to disqualify the county’s election officials for 14 years ultimately floundered.

Inspired by this success, Independence County was set to follow suit, voting 63% in favor of shifting to hand-counted ballots, aligning with Searcy County’s methodology.

However, following last November’s election, claims of electioneering provided a means to engage in lawfare against one of the prominent activists advocating for the two counties’ transition away from machines.

In a report by Little Rock Public Radio, which receives federal funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting:

An election worker reported multiple complaints about Reynolds and Black allegedly disturbing voters. The warrant indicates they “were asking voters questions” and conducting an “exit poll” within a mere 29 feet of the polling venue.

If proven accurate, Reynolds could be found in violation of state laws prohibiting “electioneering,” which restricts soliciting votes or discussing ballot measures within a 100 feet radius of polling locations.

Colonel Conrad Reynolds is expected to surrender voluntarily this Wednesday to face the charge.

According to AR Code § 7-1-103, “electioneering” is defined as “the display of or audible dissemination of information that advocates for or against any candidate, issue, or measure on a ballot.”

Specifically, the statute outlines that electioneering encompasses the following activities:

• (a) Distributing or offering campaign literature or literature related to candidates, issues, or measures on the ballot;

• (b) Soliciting signatures on petitions;

• (c) Requesting contributions for charitable purposes;

• (d) Displaying candidate names, images, or logos;

• (e) Publicly exhibiting the number, title, subject, or logos of ballot measures;

• (f) Disseminating buttons, hats, or other promotional items containing election-related information;

• (g) Broadcasting audible electioneering information.

While the phrase “without limitation” implies potential for broader interpretation, it raises a question regarding how exit polling—surveying voters as they leave a polling station—might be categorized as “electioneering.”

Interestingly, former Attorney General Mike Beebe previously argued that exit polling does not equate to distributing “campaign literature” nor soliciting signatures or contributions. Furthermore, he asserted that “the conduct of exit polling cannot reasonably be categorized as ‘electioneering.’”

Colonel Reynolds shared the following statement via X:

Arkansas AG Targets Decorated Veteran Leading Trump’s Paper Ballot Movement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2025
Conway, Arkansas

Decorated U.S. Army veteran Colonel Conrad Reynolds is expected to face criminal charges following an investigation by Arkansas Attorney General… pic.twitter.com/TeOxHEzDP3

— COL Conrad Reynolds (@ColonelReynolds) October 9, 2025

The allegations against Col. Reynolds have triggered alarm within the GOP and the election integrity movement, questioning the implications of lawfare under a Republican leadership in Arkansas.

It is the special interest lobby at work. @SarahHuckabee is a disgrace! @RobManess @ColonelReynolds https://t.co/HeEvqnAL7O

— Senator Mark Finchem (@RealMarkFinchem) October 13, 2025

Top MAGA Leaders Are Asking Governor Sarah Huckabee Why Arkansas Indicted Col Conrad Reynolds – A Proponent of Paper Ballots? https://t.co/xA7VmohyXD

— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) October 13, 2025

Deep red Arkansas with a Republican governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, is arresting the great @ColonelReynolds this Wednesday because he’s fighting for PAPER BALLOTS! Maybe in California, but Arkansas?! Arkansas not only needs to free Col Conrad Reynolds, but the entire state should… pic.twitter.com/O4VnbAsF15

— Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) October 12, 2025

America can’t afford a corrupt Republican party. https://t.co/fCWhdBH7Cf

— Mark Mitchell, Rasmussen Reports (@honestpollster) October 13, 2025

Tried to call @AGTimGriffin; no answer, voice mail full.

A few simple questions for you, Tim:

Did Reynolds/Black do anything other than exit polling?
Is exit polling “electioneering” in AR?
How did you determine the “100ft” line or “primary” door?

You smell like lawfare. https://t.co/pgpOy70x9n

— Shawn Smith – Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes (@ShawnSmith1776) October 12, 2025

Sick to see what they are doing to this patriot who’s solely focused on election reform. https://t.co/iHqIq2uz6G

— Kari Lake (@KariLake) October 11, 2025

WTH⁉️ @SarahHuckabee?
This prosecution is ridiculous and obviously lawfare. @AGTimGriffin Exit polling is not electioneering. Were it anyone other than an advocate for hand-counted ballots, you would have ignored it. https://t.co/4CE2lbsv1C

— Sidney Powell, Attorney, Author, Gladiator (@SidneyPowell1) October 11, 2025

Please share… @ColonelReynolds is a hero and is guilty of trying to save our country and get to “Paper Ballots! Hand Counted!” https://t.co/KTGLULHyuX

— Mike Lindell (@realMikeLindell) October 11, 2025