Arkansas League of Women Voters files federal suit, calls changes to voter referendum process ‘Unconstitutional'
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A lawsuit filed in federal court calls the changes made to the Arkansas voter referendum process during the 95th General Assembly 'Unconstitutional.'
The suit by the Arkansas League of Women Voters was filed against Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester. According to the suit, the six bills signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders violate the Arkansas and federal constitution by restricting citizens' rights.
Attorney general rejects latest ballot proposal to change Arkansas initiative process
The six acts came after Jester gave the referendum process a D grade for security. They require signature canvassers to check ID, read the ballot title out loud, warn signatories about fraud, live in Arkansas, file an affidavit and not collect additional signatures after they have filed collected signatures.
The lawsuit states that, according to the Heritage Foundation, there have been 'just five criminal convictions related to election fraud in Arkansas over the last 20 years.'
The Constitutional violations are of Arkansas Article 5, Section 1, where Arkansans are allowed the same power to propose legislative measures, laws and amendments as the General Assembly, with a specific call to allow petitions.
House Republicans pass bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote
The U.S. Constitution's First and 14th Amendments are the federal codes being violated, the suit states. It continues that by limiting free speech, the acts violate a 'core right.'
President of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas Bonnie Miller said the lawsuit was to correct a fundamental wrong.
'Let's be clear: these laws spell the death of direct democracy in Arkansas,' she said. 'For decades, Arkansans of all political persuasions have utilized the ballot initiative process to pass popular reforms in our state. Now, the legislature wants to kill the process.'
Attorney General Tim Griffin's office stated about the suit: 'We are reviewing the lawsuit and stand ready to defend the State.'
An additional statement came from the Secretary of State's office: 'From day one, I have promised to protect Arkansas's electoral processes,' Jester said. 'The petition system has been filled with fraud and bad actors for too long. These laws are basic, commonsense protections, and we look forward to fighting for them.'
League of Women Voters submits Arkansas ballot question to roll back initiative changes
The Arkansas League of Women Voters has also submitted a referendum for voters to roll back the referendum process changes on the 2026 ballot. The organization made a second submission in March after Griffin's office rejected its initial submission.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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