Arkansas Elections

A slate of new laws make it extremely difficult for grassroots attempts to amend the state constitution.

Sponsors vow to explore legal challenges to new eighth-grade reading level requirement

The League of Women Voters of Arkansas is asking a federal judge to halt five new laws that change the way voters propose measures and constitutional amendments.

The bill would require the titles of citizen-led ballot initiatives and constitutional amendments to be written at or below an eighth-grade reading level.

Attorney General Tim Griffin cited ambiguities as his reason for rejecting the proposed ballot title and language.

Lawmakers on Monday sent proposals relating to library system directors and petition canvassers to the governor for a signature.

Senate Bill 212 would create a “Document Validity Division” under the secretary of state tasked with investigating potential fraud in the ballot initiative process.

Bills to ban phones in schools, boost maternal health and impose new restrictions on the ballot initiative process all gained final legislative approval Tuesday.

Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester said there are seven key focus areas, with each receiving a letter grade showing its current status.

A series of bills would put new restrictions on canvassers collecting signatures for ballot initiatives and proposed constitutional amendments.