ARKANSAS, USA — Arkansas group Arkansans For Limited Government (AFLG) is speaking to the media following the lawsuit they filed in response to the controversial rejection of their abortion amendment proposal.
The proposal would expand access to abortions up to 18 weeks, as well as in the instances of rape, incest, or fatal fetal anomaly. It would also allow an abortion procedure to "protect the pregnant woman's life or physical health."
Before the lawsuit, Secretary of State John Thurston told AFLG he is not changing his mind. He cited a state law requiring the person filing the petitions to also submit a statement "signed by the sponsor," along with documents identifying paid canvassers.
AFLG alleges that all required documents were submitted by the July 5 deadline.
"It's unfortunate that Secretary Thurston continues to violate his statutory duty to count our petition signatures," the group said in a social media post. "Over 101,000 Arkansans deserve to have their voices heard."
In the lawsuit, AFLG called the rejection "unlawful," and said it robs Arkansans of the opportunity to approve or deny the amendment themselves. "This court should correct the secretary's error and reaffirm Arkansas's motto, Regnat Populus, The People Rule."
Gennie Diaz with AFLG said they submitted the required documents before the deadline, but "the state is simply saying is that, 'No, you're not going to be counted because you did not provide that on the day of the filing' ... We feel it's being weaponized against us to silence the people and get in the way of direct democracy."
Jerry Cox with the Family Council action committee said his conservative organization is ready to push back should the lawsuit go through, and the signatures approved.
AFLG is asking the court to vacate the rejection of the amendment and for all signatures to be counted.
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