Today’s episode of the Arkansas Civic Minute is brought to you by Civic Arkansas, a Winthrop Rockefeller Institute program, and hosted by Little Rock Public Radio’s Politics and Government Reporter Josie Lenora.
In 2026, voters will decide on three amendments to the state constitution.
The first would mandate all voters be legal citizens when heading to the ballot box. This is already in state law, but the amendment is said to clarify existing statutes. Voters will also have the option to vote yes or no on a gun rights amendment. The federal constitution already protects the right to bear arms but the proposed amendment would specify gun types. A third amendment would allow state lawmakers to create “economic development districts.” This means designated parts of the state where the government would have more freedom to give money to private business. The amendment would expand the state constitution's existing language on how public money is spent which are often strict and limiting.
Support for the Arkansas Civic Minute is provided by Civic Arkansas, a Winthrop Rockefeller Institute program. As a nonprofit convenor, the Institute looks to strengthen civic health by putting people first, removing barriers to participation, and supporting community-led solutions for a more connected civic culture. More information at https://rockefellerinstitute.org/programs/civic-arkansas/.