FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — In the past couple of years, Arkansas has seen changes made to the state’s Freedom of Information Act, abortion rights, education and more. This pushed organizations to create measures for Natural State voters to decide what they want in the November 5 election.
In Arkansas, a ballot measure has to be approved by the state’s attorney general. Once the initiative language is approved, the sponsors of the measure will have to collect signatures from registered state voters in 50 counties.
The organizations will turn over the signatures by Friday, July 5. The state’s secretary of state will certify the ballot measure on Thursday, August 22 if it meets the requirements needed.
Initiated Constitutional Amendments in Arkansas
An initiated constitutional amendment must collect 90,704 signatures. Currently, there are five initiated constitutional amendments:
1. Medical Marijuana Expansion Initiative
Also known as the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024, this initiative aims to expand access to medical marijuana patients to:
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Grow Marijuana
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Expand qualifying medical conditions
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Allow Telemedicine
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Accept out-of-state marijuana cards
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Expand marijuana cards to expire in three years rather than one; adding existing cards with two additional years to the expiration date
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Require background checks for applicants of designated caregivers who are not parents or guardians of minors
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Allow qualifying adults (21 years and older) to have up to one ounce of marijuana if federal law changes to remove marijuana from the schedule of a controlled substance.
The proposed constitutional amendment is sponsored by Arkansans for Patient Access.
Arkansas medical marijuana sales broke all records for 2023
2. Right to Abortion Initiative
Also known as the Arkansas Reproductive Healthcare Amendment, this possible amendment would prohibit laws or policies:
In June 2022, Arkansas enacted a trigger law once Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court of the United States. Since then, Arkansans could not legally receive an abortion.
The Arkansas abortion amendment of 2024 is led by Arkansans for Limited Government. Locations on where to sign can be found on the website.
Nonprofit leaders discuss Arkansas Abortion Amendment after certification
3. Absentee Voting Restrictions Initiative
Also known as the Absentee Voting Amendment of 2024, this initiative would place restrictions by changing the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot to 30 days before the election date instead of the Friday before election day.
Attorneys Clint and Jennifer Lancaster proposed the amendment.
How are mail-in and absentee ballots verified?
4. Right to Government Transparency Initiative
Also known as the Arkansas Government Transparency Act, this act will create a constitutional right to government transparency defined as “the government’s obligation to share information with citizens or to deliver information to citizens” and requires voter approval for laws concerning government transparency.
This initiative was sparked after Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders changed the state constitution after a blogger filed FOIAs and found she paid more than $19,000 for a lectern, that still has not been used. The purchase has led to a state audit.
Sanders signed a measure blocking the release of her travel and security records, limiting government transparency.
The Arkansas Citizens for Transparency, a government accountability group made of nonpartisan members submitted the ballot language.
Arkansas Citizens For Transparency submits FOIA amendment to state constitution
5. School Standards and State Education Obligations Initiative
Also known as the Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024, this ballot measure would require schools that receive state or local funds to have the same standards for academic and accreditation. If passed, it would expand the state’s obligations relating to education by requiring all schools receiving taxpayers money to have:
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Universal access to voluntary, early childhood education for students three years old until they qualify for kindergarten
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Universal access to voluntary afterschool and summer programs necessary for the achievement of an adequate education
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Assistance to children who are within 200% of the federal poverty line so that the qualifying children can achieve an adequate education and overcome the negative impact of poverty on education
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Services that fully meet the individualized needs of students with disabilities
Bill Kopsky, the executive director of the Arkansas Public Policy Panel submitted the ballot language. The group For AR Kids is advocating for the ballot measure. Volunteer forms and where to sign can be found on the website.
Capitol View: Talking education rights in Arkansas, national political scene
Initiated State Statutes in Arkansas
An initiated state statute is a ballot measure that changes the state’s constitutional amendment. It must collect 72,563 signatures. Currently, there is one state statute.
Expemt feminine hygiene products and diapers from sales tax initiative
The ballot measure known as the “Tampon Tax” would make certain products free from the state’s sales tax. Those products are:
If enough signatures are collected to get the statute for voters to pass, it won’t go into effect until Jan. 1, 2025.
Diapers added to tampon tax removal ballot title
The Arkansas Period Poverty Project submitted the ballot measure. More information on where to sign, and how to volunteer can be found on the organization’s Linktree.
To see your registration status in order to vote on these issues if they are placed on the ballot, click here.
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