League of Women Voters submits Arkansas ballot question to roll back initiative changes
Representatives of the group said the proposed amendment and ballot title had been submitted to the attorney general for approval. They said the proposal would reform the ballot initiative process and address concerns over transparency and accessibility.
People speak out for & against bills aimed to change the way initiatives are placed on the Arkansas ballot
The current session of the 95th General Assembly has seen numerous changes to the ballot initiative process, with more changes being proposed. The changes would make ballot initiatives, such as those in the past that have raised the minimum wage and approved medical marijuana, more challenging to accomplish.
Critics of the process call out security concerns, such as the possibility of falsified signatures.
League representatives said they had six key provisions in the proposal:
Restricts legislative changes to citizen initiatives: Prohibits the General Assembly from amending a voter-approved constitutional amendment with a two-thirds vote.
Streamlines ballot title approval: Requires the attorney general's office to approve or, if necessary, modify the language of ballot titles. Once approved, challenges must be filed within 45 days before the Arkansas Supreme Court, preventing legal disputes after signature collection.
Protects referendum rights: Ensures the names and titles of referendums align with those assigned by the General Assembly to the laws they seek to repeal.
Mandates separate votes on emergency clauses: Requires separate votes on legislation and emergency clauses, with at least 24 hours between them, to improve transparency.
Eliminates legislative interference: Prohibits the General Assembly from amending or repealing constitutional amendments approved by voters.
Simplifies signature collection: Allows canvassers to submit signatures under penalty of perjury, eliminating the need for notarization and streamlining the process.
Bonnie Miller, president of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, said the amendment is necessary to protect Arkansans' right to direct democracy.
'We believe filing this amendment is prudent because politicians have continually attacked Arkansans' constitutional right to petition our government,' Miller said. 'Attempts to weaken and dismantle the first power reserved by the people are an existential threat to democracy in Arkansas. Power belongs in the hands of voters, not politicians and lobbyists.'
Pressure for, against petition process changes in Arkansas legislature
Attorney General Tim Griffin has 10 days to review the ballot title and popular name. If approved, supporters must collect 90,704 valid signatures to qualify the measure for the November 2026 ballot.
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