LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Arkansas submitted a proposed constitutional amendment on Feb. 5 to "enhance the state's ballot initiative process," according to the advocacy group.
LWV said this proposed ballot title comes after recent events that have "raised concerns about the transparency, fairness, and accountability of the initiative process, leaving many initiatives delayed or disputed over ballot title approvals and citizens' voices unheard."
In March 2023, the Arkansas Senate passed a bill that raised the number of counties where a minimum number of signatures from registered voters must be submitted from 15 to 50.
“The purpose of this would be to ensure that we're getting representation from all across the state, not just large urban areas but rural counties as well, and having a lot of input into the process,” Republican Sen. Jim Dotson, a sponsor of the measure, told the Senate before the vote.
According to the LWV, the recently proposed constitutional amendment hopes to ensure legislative and political interference does not impact voters' rights, prevent delays once signature collection begins, simplify the signature collection process, reinforce transparency, and ensure a "level playing field for all citizens."
"We believe filing this amendment is prudent because politicians have continually attacked Arkansans’ constitutional right to petition our government," Bonnie Miller, president of The League of Women Voters of Arkansas, said. "Attempts to weaken and dismantle the first power reserved by the people is an existential threat to democracy in Arkansas."
Attorney General Tim Griffin will review the proposed amendment and give a rejection or approval within 10 days. If approved, the advocacy group will have until July 5 to gather 90,704 signatures to qualify for November's ballot.
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