League of Women Voters seek to ‘reform’ ballot initiative process

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The League of Women Voters of Arkansas (LWV) has submitted a proposed constitutional amendment it says is designed to counter recent legislative efforts that “weaken and dismantle” the ability of citizens to place amendments on the ballot.

According to a LWV press release issued Tuesday (March 11), the amendment and ballot title presented to Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin “aims to reform the state’s ballot initiative process and address concerns over transparency and accessibility.”

The LWV action follows attempts by the Arkansas Legislature to add more requirements to citizen initiatives. One of those was SB 211, filed by Rep. Kendon Underwood, R-Cave Springs, which requires a signature canvasser to file an affidavit with the Arkansas Secretary or State “certifying that the canvasser has complied with the Arkansas Constitution and all Arkansas law regarding canvassing, perjury, forgery, and fraudulent practices in the procurement of petition signatures during the current election cycle.”

League of Women Voters seek to ‘reform’ ballot initiative process

New reporting shows pro-choice group may have submitted the correct paperwork

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

The Arkansas Times uncovered evidence that documents may have been correctly submitted to the Secretary of State's office contrary to statements made by the office. Arkansans For Limited Government has been working since February to put an amendment on the ballot legalizing abortion in Arkansas up to the 18th week of pregnancy. The collected over 101 thousand signatures collected by a pro-choice group were thrown out. Arkansas For Limited Government attempted They submitted their boxes of signatures to the Secretary of State's office on July 5th.

Secretary of State John Thurston, threw out their signatures because he said the group “failed to comply” with Arkansas law. In a letter sent to one of the sponsors, Secretary Thurston said they violated A.C.A. 7-9-111 (f)(2). This law mandates two pieces of paperwork be turned in with signatures: a list of paid canvassers, and a signed statement by the sponsor proving the paid canvassers read the handbook.

New reporting shows pro-choice group may have submitted the correct paperwork

Josie Lenora/Little Rock Public Radio

Supporters of an effort to legalize abortion in Arkansas cheer as signatures are submitted at the Arkansas State Capitol on Friday, July 5, 2024.

Canvassing groups collect signatures as July deadline looms

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Arkansas groups attempting to put their ballot amendments before voters are coming up on an important deadline.

Wikimedia Image

If you want a certain issue to appear on the ballot for voters in November, you have to get tens of thousands of signatures from across the state. If you want to pass an initiative, that number is over 72,000. If the proposal you are trying to pass amends the Arkansas Constitution, you have to collect just over 90,000 signatures from 50 of the state’s 75 counties.

Groups are about a month away from a July 5 deadline to submit signatures. There are seven groups or people who are pushing amendments and initiatives; six of those are scrambling in the final stretch to collect as many signatures as they can.

Canvassing groups collect signatures as July deadline looms