Latest news with #LeagueofWomenVotersofArkansas
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Attorney general approves Arkansas League of Women Voters, Save AR Democracy ballot title for referendum roll-back
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas attorney general approved a ballot title on Wednesday that could change the way citizens bring issues to the ballot for voters to decide. This was the third ballot title submitted by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas to the attorney general. The league, along with the Save AR Democracy group, intends to ask voters whether access to the referendum process should be part of the Arkansas Constitution. Arkansas coalition submits proposed ballot initiative to overturn legislative changes to referendum law Attorney General Tim Griffin's opinion that accompanied the approval said the group's submission had appropriate language in the title, as compared to the previous submissions. The league president classified Wednesday's decision as a victory. 'This victory belongs to every Arkansan who believes in the power of the people to shape their own government,' League president Bonnie Miller said. 'Despite the challenges, we refused to give up because the right to direct democracy is worth fighting for.' Two additional groups ask to join Arkansas League of Women Voters suit against changes to referendum law Secretary of State Cole Jester's office says the next step in the process is to meet with someone from its elections division and start collecting their signatures to try to get enough valid signatures to get it on the ballot. By state law, the group will need to gather 90,704 signatures, amounting to 10% of the total number of votes cast for governor in the last election. The league has also filed a lawsuit against the referendum changes. The most recent legislative session created several laws that tightened access to the referendum process, including multiple laws on signature gathering and the reading level of the title. The group's second submission being above an eighth-grade reading level is what led to its rejection. This is the first ballot title approved under the new laws. A recent successful ballot initiative in Arkansas was an amendment repealing the Pope County casino's license. In the past, a 2018 initiative increased the state's minimum wage, and a 2016 initiative established an Arkansas medical marijuana program. Arkansas League of Women Voters speaks on lawsuit regarding changes voter referendum process Other ballot initiatives to increase access to marijuana failed in 2022 and 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arkansas attorney general certifies League of Women Voters ballot title
Voters sign a petition to place a measure on the Nov. 5 ballot at a signing event April 8, 2024, outside Little Rock's Whitewater Tavern. (Paige Eichkorn / Arkansas Advocate) Attorney General Tim Griffin on Wednesday substituted and certified the popular name and ballot title of a constitutional amendment proposed by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas aimed at preserving the state's direct democracy process. Griffin had rejected the proposal three times prior to Wednesday's certification. In his most recent rejection, Griffin cited a new state law that prohibits ballot titles from being written above an eighth-grade reading level as his reason for denying certification. In Wednesday's opinion, Griffin said he previously did not approve the League of Women Voters' proposal because it ranked at grade level 12.2 on the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula. The test uses word complexity and sentence lengths to calculate what grade of education is needed to comprehend written material. Arkansas attorney general rejects first ballot measure under new law Additionally, the attorney general identified two other 'minor issues' — a grammatical error in the text and the proposal's 'failure to mention any standards upon which a popular name could be challenged.' Griffin noted in Wednesday's opinion, which Assistant Attorney General Kelly Summerside prepared, that the League of Women Voters had corrected both issues and rewrote the ballot title so it ranks at an 8.5 grade level on the Flesch-Kincaid test. 'With regard to your proposed ballot title, I have made several minor changes to ensure that the ballot title clearly and accurately sets forth the purpose of your proposed initiated amendment to the Arkansas Constitution, while remaining at an eighth-grade reading level,' Griffin said. The League of Women Voters of Arkansas and its ballot question committee, Save AR Democracy, said they were pleased with 'this long-awaited approval,' in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon. 'This victory belongs to every Arkansan who believes in the power of the people to shape their own government,' said Bonnie Miller, president of the League. 'Despite the challenges, we refused to give up because the right to direct democracy is worth fighting for.' The League of Women Voters of Arkansas submitted its first proposal in March. The amendment's goal is to 'restore Arkansans' constitutional right to direct democracy by preventing legislative interference, streamlining legal reviews, and simplifying the citizen-led petition process while ensuring that the fundamental rights of the amendment are subject to strict scrutiny by the courts in order to be valid,' according to a Wednesday press release. Direct democracy is the process by which Arkansans can propose new laws or constitutional amendments and place them on the ballot for a statewide vote. Arkansas is one of 24 states that allow citizen-led initiatives, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The nonpartisan LWVA, which submitted its most recent proposal on May 7, is proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit state lawmakers from changing the Arkansas Constitution themselves and require that any new law affecting the initiative and referendum process must be approved by voters at the next general election. Additionally, the ballot measure would only permit voters, not state lawmakers, to propose changes to Article 5, Section 1 of the state Constitution, the section that outlines the initiative and referendum process. Under the proposed constitutional amendment, the General Assembly would determine the name and title of referendums, and votes on a bill with an emergency clause (a provision that allows laws to become effective immediately) would have to occur at least 24 hours after the bill passes. Additional provisions of the proposal address the signature-gathering process, as well as the process for certifying and challenging ballot titles. These reforms are essential to ensuring Arkansans can continue bringing issues 'directly to the ballot without unnecessary obstacles,' according to the release. 'This is about protecting the voice of the people,' Miller said. 'It should be the voters, not politicians, who have the final say in how Arkansas is governed.' Preserving Arkansans' right to propose state laws and constitutional amendments became a priority for several groups after lawmakers approved about a dozen bills related to direct democracy during the recently concluded legislative session. The bills' sponsors said they will ensure integrity with the process, while opponents have argued the new laws make it nearly impossible for Arkansans' proposed measures to qualify for the ballot. Arkansas coalition submits proposal to protect 'fundamental right' to direct democracy The League of Women Voters of Arkansas filed a federal lawsuit in April alleging that eight of those laws are unconstitutional. Two ballot question committees, Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids, filed a motion to intervene in the case last week because they want to challenge additional laws not included in the original suit, including Act 602 of 2025, the law that prohibits initiative petitions from being written above an eighth-grade reading level. Protect AR Rights also submitted its own proposed constitutional amendment Monday that would protect Arkansans' 'fundamental right' to direct democracy. Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families is a member of the Protect AR Rights coalition, and Executive Director Keesa Smith-Brantley said Monday that the group's goal is for its proposal and the League of Women Voters' to work together. 'There were things that we felt like we needed to equally add to make sure that we enshrine the rights of Arkansans in the Constitution, but we are hopeful to be able to work together in this process and talk about ways that we can make sure that both of the measures that we're working on get passed,' she said. Under state law, the attorney general's office has 10 business days to approve or reject a proposed ballot measure. The deadline for a response on Protect AR Rights' proposal is June 3. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Attorney general again rejects proposed ballot measure to amend Arkansas' direct democracy process
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Today is the last day for ballot initiative supporters to collect signatures to qualify for the November ballot. Petitions must be submitted to the Arkansas Secretary of State's office by Friday. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Arkansas' attorney general on Tuesday rejected for a second time a proposed ballot measure to amend the state's initiative and referendum process. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin noted in an opinion prepared by Senior Assistant Attorney General Kelly Summerside that while proponents had resolved several issues preventing certification of the initial proposal, one issue remained and others were created. Little Rock attorney David Couch submitted the revised proposed constitutional amendment on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas on March 31. State law requires the attorney general to approve or reject a proposed ballot measure within 10 business days, and Tuesday was the deadline. The League of Women Voters of Arkansas expressed disappointment in Griffin's decision in an emailed statement and reiterated its commitment to submitting a revised proposal. 'Protecting the people's right to propose and vote on laws is foundational to a healthy democracy,' LWV Arkansas President Bonnie Miller said. 'This amendment is necessary to protect and safeguard our constitutional right to direct democracy. We are not giving up.' Among other things, the initial proposal sought to change the attorney general's role in reviewing ballot titles, but the language of the proposed ballot measure ensured there would be times the AG would be unable to act, Griffin wrote. In an attempt to remedy the issue, the LWV Arkansas made a few edits to its proposal, including one that would require that the attorney general must only certify that the popular name is not misleading, rather than certify that both the popular name and ballot title are not misleading. This still did not resolve the problem, Griffin wrote. 'Your current submission runs into the same problem as your previous submission: it again misleadingly suggests that the Attorney General will always approve some version of a submitted ballot title, while creating a system that ensures the Attorney General will at times be unable to certify a ballot title,' the opinion states. Griffin's Tuesday opinion also noted issues with consistency with terms in sections of the state Constitution, as well as grammatical issues. There is no limit to how many times a group may submit a proposed ballot measure. The attorney general's office has already certified three other ballot title proposals that address education, government transparency and taxes on feminine hygiene products for the 2026 election cycle. The Legislature can also refer up to three constitutional amendments as ballot measures for 2026. It had not finalized its decisions as of Tuesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arkansas attorney general rejects first ballot measure under new law
Arkansans sign petitions in support of proposed ballot initiatives in Little Rock on July 2, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) The League of Women Voters of Arkansas on Wednesday decried the attorney general's rejection of its proposed constitutional amendment under a new law that prohibits ballot titles from being written above an eighth-grade reading level. This is the third time Attorney General Tim Griffin has rejected the nonpartisan organization's proposal to amend the state's initiative and referendum process and the first time he has rejected any proposed ballot measure under Act 602, which became law last month. Sponsored by Rep. Ryan Rose, R-Van Buren, Act 602 prohibits the attorney general from certifying a proposed ballot title with a reading level above eighth grade as determined by the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula. The test uses word complexity and sentence lengths to calculate what grade of education is needed to comprehend written material. The law cannot be retroactively applied to proposals that were already certified for circulation before the act's effective date. The attorney general's office has already certified three other ballot title proposals that address education, government transparency and taxes on feminine hygiene products for the 2026 election cycle. Because Act 602 had an emergency clause, it went into effect when the governor signed it into law on April 14. Legislation generally takes effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die. The 2025 legislative session officially concluded Monday. The League of Women Voters of Arkansas expressed frustration with Griffin's decision in a statement issued Wednesday. 'Our ballot title has now been rejected three times, and each time we've addressed the Attorney General's concerns,' said Bonnie Miller, president of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas. 'This latest hurdle has nothing to do with accuracy or clarity. It is a technicality designed to keep citizens from having a say.' The organization is preparing a revised version of its proposal and is exploring legal options to challenge Act 602, according to the statement. 'We're not going anywhere,' Miller said. 'We've seen this kind of pushback before, and we know what's at stake. We will keep working to protect the right of Arkansans to bring issues directly to the ballot.' The League of Women Voters of Arkansas submitted its first proposal in March with the goal of strengthening direct democracy, according to a press release at that time. Direct democracy is the process by which Arkansans can propose new laws or constitutional amendments and place them on the ballot for a statewide vote. Arkansas is one of 24 states that allow citizen-led initiatives, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Let us know what you think... If approved, the League of Women Voters of Arkansas' proposed constitutional amendment would prohibit the General Assembly from amending or repealing with a two-thirds majority vote a constitutional amendment approved by voters, which it currently has the authority to do. The group's proposal would also prohibit Article 5, Section 1 — the section of the state constitution that permits citizen-led initiatives and referendums — from being amended by a ballot measure referred to voters by the General Assembly. State lawmakers can refer up to three proposed constitutional amendments to voters each legislative session. This year legislators referred proposals concerning gun rights, economic development and affirming that only U.S. citizens can vote in Arkansas to the 2026 ballot. Additional provisions of the LWVA's proposed constitutional amendment include requiring a separate vote for an emergency clause to occur at least 24 hours after the passage of a measure, and to allow for the substitution or rejection of ballot measure language by the attorney general to be immediately reviewable by the Arkansas Supreme Court. In Monday's opinion, which was prepared by Senior Assistant Attorney General Kelly Summerside, Griffin said the League of Women Voters of Arkansas resolved issues identified with previous submissions, but he must reject their most recent submission because of Act 602. Griffin said the submitted ballot title 'ranks at grade level 12.2,' above the now required eighth-grade reading level, and therefore 'requires significant revisions' to comply with the new law. 'Any ballot title I could substitute would amount to a wholesale rewrite, but it is the sponsor's duty to craft a ballot title that complies with Act 602,' the opinion states. 'As a result, my statutory duty is to reject your popular name and ballot title because it does not comply with the requirements of Act 602 and instruct you to redesign the proposed ballot title in a manner that does not violate the requirements of the Act.' The opinion noted additional problems with the proposal, including grammatical issues and challenges to the measure's popular name. 'After the Secretary of State assigns a popular name, certain parties 'may contest the popular name.' But your proposed measure does not provide any standards for the popular name or basis upon which it can be challenged,' Griffin wrote. 'Thus, the ballot title misleadingly presents the matter as if there is some basis upon which the popular name could be challenged, even though your proposed measure includes no such basis.' In addition to its proposed constitutional amendment, the League of Women Voters of Arkansas is also addressing the state's initiative and referendum process through a lawsuit it filed last month that alleges eight new laws governing direct democracy are unconstitutional. Act 602 is not part of the lawsuit, which challenges another law that would expand the attorney general's existing authority to reject a proposal if it conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or federal statutes. The suit also challenges laws that affect the petition-gathering process by requiring canvassers to file a 'true affidavit' with the secretary of state, to request a photo ID from signers and inform them that petition fraud is a criminal offense, among other things. Following the 2023 legislative session, the League of Women Voters of Arkansas filed a lawsuit challenging a law that requires ballot initiative groups to gather signatures from 50 counties instead of 15. A final decision in the case is still pending. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arkansas League of Women Voters speaks on lawsuit regarding changes voter referendum process
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A lawsuit by the Arkansas League of Women Voters against Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester alleges six new laws violate the Arkansas and Federal Constitution. Kristin Foster with the League of Women Voters of Arkansas says the laws make the ballot initiative process more difficult. 'The people's power and voice in our ballot initiative process is so important to Arkansas that we cannot just let this lie,' Foster said. Arkansas League of Women Voters files federal suit, calls changes to voter referendum process 'Unconstitutional' The suit alleges the laws violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and a part of the state constitution. 'The restrictions they have placed go far beyond reasonable election security to the point of just preventing people from being involved in the process, from getting issues to the ballot at all,' Foster said. The laws were highly debated during this session. Some people testifying against the bills believe they would wipe out the ballot initiative process. When asked about that argument, Jester said in a statement, 'The laws in no way eliminate the process: instead, they keep fraud out and protect the voice of Arkansans. Under Arkansas's constitution, a signature on an initiative petition is your vote, and this office will always find voter fraud unacceptable.' 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 the collected signatures. 'We want it to be safe and secure just like the legislature does, but it's just making sure this process is done without unnecessary barriers to the ballot,' Jester said. Arkansas League of Women Voters resubmits ballot initiative reform proposal 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 is working on a third submission to the Arkansas Attorney General. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
