By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — The 2024 Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide is now available. It offers non-biased, research-based information about three proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot in the state’s upcoming general election.
HELP FOR VOTERS — Arkansans can access a non-biased, research-based guide about three proposed constitutional amendments on the upcoming general election ballot with the 2024 Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide. The guide is published by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Public Policy Center. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)
The guide is published by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Public Policy Center, part of the Cooperative Extension Service.
The Voter Guide was released Sept. 27 and is available at uaex.uada.edu/ballot. Printed copies will be available in county extension offices statewide by the start of early voting, which begins Oct. 21.
The Public Policy Center has provided a voter guide on all statewide ballot issues since 2004. Kristin Higgins, extension program associate for the Public Policy Center, said it’s critical for Arkansans to access non-biased information about the issues that impact them.
“People need information to make a decision, and it can be difficult to find neutral sources of information about statewide ballot issues,” Higgins said. “You’re being asked as a voter to create or change state policy for years to come. The Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide is that source of neutral information, and it also gives people the ability to read the ballot titles when they’re not under a time crunch to make a decision.”
The information contained in the guide goes through a thorough vetting process to ensure its accuracy and neutrality, which includes reviews by legal and subject matter experts, as well as both supporters and opponents of each issue. The guide breaks down what a “for” or “against” vote means for each of the three issues. It also spells out what each issue proposes, helping to parse the language of the ballot titles.
The guide includes reasons why people may support or oppose each of the proposals, and it provides a helpful worksheet for people to record their voting plans and bring with them to the polls.
Higgins said it’s important for Arkansans to use their voting privileges in the statewide election, especially as one of 15 states where citizens can put a constitutional amendment, state law or veto referendum on the statewide ballot for voters to decide.
“Voters have a direct involvement in deciding whether to change state law,” Higgins said. “These state laws affect all Arkansans, so voting in these elections shapes your state and your experiences for decades into the future.”
Organizations can request ballot issue education presentations from extension agents. The Public Policy Center also offers year-round ballot issue education, including a monthly newsletter with updates on upcoming issues.
Oct. 7 is the last day for Arkansans to register to vote ahead of the General Election. Early voting begins Oct. 21.
What’s on the ballot?
Issue 1: A constitutional amendment to provide that lottery proceeds may be used to fund or provide scholarships and grants to Arkansas citizens enrolled in vocational-technical schools and technical institutes.
Issue 2: An amendment requiring local voter approval in a countywide special election for certain new casino licenses and repealing authority to issue a casino license in Pope County, Arkansas.
Issue 3: The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024.
As of this publishing, the lawsuit regarding Issue 2 continues before the Arkansas Supreme Court. Justices also have a lawsuit about Issue 3 to review.
On Sept. 30, Secretary of State John Thurston notified the sponsor of Issue 3, Arkansans for Patient Access, or APA, that their proposed constitutional amendment to expand the state’s medical marijuana program did not have enough valid voter signatures to qualify for a spot on the ballot. State officials contend that signatures should be invalidated because a canvassing company acting on behalf of the sponsor handled campaign paperwork instead of the sponsors themselves.
APA filed a lawsuit Oct. 1 asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to ensure Issue 3 will be on the General Election ballot. Justices told Thurston to count the signatures. On Oct. 4, the Secretary of State's Office reported that enough voter signatures had been counted to qualify the measure for the ballot, but state officials still contend that the proposal shouldn't be on the ballot.
For more information about the 2024 Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide, visit uaex.uada.edu/ballot. Contact your local extension agent or the Public Policy Center for more information or to schedule a presentation on the ballot issues.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.