Latest news with #ProtectARRights
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Arkansas ranks first-place in election security, according to conservative group
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – From number eight to number one, Arkansas has moved up in the Heritage Foundation's Election Security Scorecard. Secretary of State Cole Jester says it's all due to eight recent key changes, including policies from his office. 'We're partnering with the federal government to get DHA, Homeland Security data on illegal immigrants who might be on our rolls and using credit agencies to flag addresses that may be industrial or just don't exist,' Jester said. Arkansas coalition submits proposed ballot initiative to overturn legislative changes to referendum law Arkansas is now sharing voter registration data with other states to check for people registered in multiple states, along with implementing other new policies. Recently passed laws have also contributed to the new ranking. 'One, getting data from federal juries so we can eliminate people who shouldn't be on our voter registration list, two, requiring a witness for absentee ballots,' Jester said. Gennie Diaz, with the democracy rights advocacy group Protect AR Rights, said they would like to see policies that make democracy more accessible, not less. 'It's a really interesting contrast, if you will, from where we rank in voter participation and then this declaration that our state is number one in voter integrity. I think there is a big chasm there,' Diaz said. While the Heritage Foundation does not have a ranking category dedicated to the petition process, Jester said one of the eight changes includes mandating a photo ID for signing initiative petitions. There are 100 factors that determine the ranking based on a point system. Arkansas League of Women Voters files federal suit, calls changes to voter referendum process 'Unconstitutional' Protect AR Rights is proposing the Arkansas Ballot Measure Rights Amendment, which aims to block existing laws they believe interfere with the right to sign petitions and collect signatures. 'How can we find ways to, of course, protect the voting process and the petition process, but also make it easier for people to vote? Because in our state it's just incredibly difficult, and often fewer than half of our registered voters turn out for elections,' Diaz said. Jester said these are common-sense laws and policies, while Diaz questioned the practical benefit of the ranking for voters. 'What does this number one ranking for election integrity actually mean for the voters of this state? Is this just simply a ranking that we get because we check off certain boxes with this particular think tank, or is this something we're actually working toward as a state?' Diaz said. 'Things like when a ballot is damaged and remade, procedural checks to make sure it's done correctly, things like nursing homes requiring two witnesses, two assisters when you're helping someone fill out their ballot, just common-sense steps everyone can get behind,' Jester said. Lawmakers seek to rein in citizen ballot initiatives with new requirements for petitions To view the scorecard, please visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Protect AR Rights ballot title to overturn recent ballot title laws rejected
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Protect AR Rights' first ballot title submission to the Arkansas attorney general was rejected on Monday. The group has stated that the submission is intended to place before voters the chance to overturn ballot initiative laws passed during the most recent general assembly. Citing concerns about security, the legislature passed multiple laws tightening the requirements for ballot referendums to be accepted, including increased restrictions on signature gathering and referendum language. Arkansas bill aims to let attorney general determine constitutionality of ballot initiatives One of those laws requiring ballot titles to be at no more than an eighth-grade reading level was the primary reason Attorney General Tim Griffin rejected the Protect AR Rights submission. 'I must reject your popular name and ballot title because the ballot title does not comply with Act 602 of 2025,' Griffin wrote in his opinion. 'As explained above, Act 602 prohibits me from certifying ballot titles that are above an eighth-grade reading level under the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula. The ballot title you have submitted ranks at grade 11.5. Thus, your ballot title requires significant revisions before it complies with the Act.' The attorney general also cited ambiguity in two parts of the ballot title's language. Attorney general approves Arkansas League of Women Voters, Save AR Democracy ballot title for referendum roll-back A statement from Protect AR Rights said the group expected its first submission to be rejected. 'We're not surprised by today's decision from the Attorney General because it's rare for a ballot measure to be approved on the first try,' the statement read.' This is simply the first step in a long process, and our coalition remains fully committed to protecting the rights of Arkansans to shape their own laws.' The group also classified the reading requirement as being 'passed by politicians trying to limit access to the ballot' and a 'serious barrier to a fundamental right.' Protect AR Rights has its policy position on its website. Arkansas coalition speaks on proposed ballot measure process amendment Griffin recently approved a ballot initiative with similar intent for the Arkansas League of Women Voters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Second Arkansas ballot measure rejected for failing to meet reading-level standard
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families Executive Director Keesa Smith-Brantley discusses a proposed constitutional amendment submitted to the attorney general's office during a press conference at the state Capitol on May 19, 2025. (Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate) Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin on Monday said he could not certify a proposed constitutional amendment related to direct democracy because it violates a new state law that prohibits ballot titles from being written above an eighth-grade reading level. Act 602, which became law in April, 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 ballot title you have submitted ranks at grade 11.5. Thus, your ballot title requires significant revisions before it complies with the Act,' according to Monday's opinion, which was prepared by Assistant Attorney General Jodie Keener and approved by Griffin. Monday's opinion identified additional issues with the proposal, including ambiguity regarding the Arkansas General Assembly's authority and how conflicting measures become law. The Arkansas Ballot Measure Rights Amendment, sponsored by the Protect AR Rights coalition, would amend Article 5 Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution, the section that governs the state's initiative and referendum process. It would designate as a 'fundamental right' the right of voters to propose laws and constitutional amendments that can be put to a statewide vote. Among its various provisions, the measure would require petition signatures be gathered from at least 15 counties instead of 50 and would explicitly prohibit the Arkansas General Assembly from amending or repealing a constitutional amendment approved by voters. This is the second ballot measure proposed this year in response to state lawmakers approving about a dozen direct democracy-related laws during the 2025 legislative session. Supporters of the new laws have said they will ensure the integrity of the initiative and referendum process, while opponents have argued it will make it more difficult for citizen-led initiatives to qualify for the ballot. The direct democracy process allows Arkansans to propose new laws or constitutional amendments and put them to a statewide vote. Arkansas is one of 24 states that allows citizen-led initiatives, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Protect AR Rights spokesperson Bill Kopsky said in a phone interview that Monday's decision was expected because the attorney general often rejects the first draft of a proposed ballot title. The ballot question committee intends to request a meeting with Griffin's staff to gather feedback, Kopsky said. In an emailed statement, Protect AR Rights noted this was 'the first step in a long process, and our coalition remains fully committed to protecting the rights of Arkansans to shape their own laws.' Griffin's rejection of the group's proposed amendment reinforces why it's 'so urgently needed,' according to the group. 'We're reviewing the AG's feedback and will revise and resubmit our amendment. But let's be clear: the new 8th grade reading requirement — passed by politicians trying to limit access to the ballot — is a serious barrier to a fundamental right,' the statement reads. 'We believe measures should be clear, accessible, and accurate. That's exactly why we're fighting this provision in court.' Court filings reveal opposition to intervening motion in Arkansas direct democracy lawsuit Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids, another ballot question committee pursuing an education-focused constitutional amendment, are trying to challenge Act 602 by intervening in a federal lawsuit that challenges several other new laws governing the state's direct democracy process. The League of Women Voters of Arkansas filed the lawsuit against the secretary of state in April. The League proposed its own direct democracy-related ballot measure this year that was thrice rejected by the attorney general, including once for violating Act 602. Griffin substituted and certified the popular name and ballot title so it met the eighth grade-reading level requirement on May 21. That means the League can begin gathering signatures to try to place their measure on the 2026 ballot. In response to the motion to intervene, both the League and the state argued in court filings last week that Protect AR Rights lacks standing and is not entitled to intervene in the case. Protect AR Rights could file its own lawsuit if a judge dismisses the motion to intervene, but Kopsky said the court would likely freeze both lawsuits while deciding whether to consolidate them. 'We believe it would slow the process down substantially, which doesn't seem to be in anybody's interest,' he said. 'So we were surprised that they opposed the motion to intervene, but our legal team is going to respond to it in a way that's appropriate. The bottom line is we're committed to protecting the right to direct democracy and the right to have access to ballot measures in the state.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Court filings reveal opposition to intervening motion in Arkansas direct democracy lawsuit
Efforts to collect signatures for two proposed ballot measures for the 2026 election will begin this fall, following the attorney general's approval of ballot language Thursday. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) The League of Women Voters of Arkansas and the state attorney general argued in federal court filings this week that two ballot question committees are not entitled to intervene in the League's lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of direct democracy laws. Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids filed a motion to intervene in the case on May 14, arguing that their interests aren't 'adequately represented' because the League's suit didn't challenge all the laws they intended to. The committees also argued that intervening is more efficient than filing a separate lawsuit, which they said would likely be consolidated with the League's complaint under federal court rules. Arkansas grassroots organizations seek to intervene in lawsuit challenging direct democracy laws In its response to the motion, which was filed by Little Rock attorney David Couch on Wednesday, the League of Women Voters of Arkansas and ballot question committee Save AR Democracy (SARD) argue the two ballot question committees don't have standing and have no right to intervene because they are not questioning LWVAR's ability to challenge the laws in the original complaint. LWVAR filed a federal lawsuit against the Arkansas secretary of state in April alleging that eight recently approved state laws governing direct democracy violate the First and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. 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. The motion to intervene from Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids seeks to challenge two laws not included in the League of Women Voters' suit — Act 602 of 2025, which prohibits ballot titles from being written above an eighth-grade reading level, and Act 236 of 2023, which mandates petition signatures must be collected from at least 50 counties instead of 15 as directed in the Arkansas Constitution, according to court filings. Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids also seek to add an additional defendant, Attorney General Tim Griffin, who is not a party to the pending litigation but is counsel for the secretary of state, which would further complicate the matter, according to LWVAR's response. In the defendant's response, also filed Wednesday, Griffin noted that when he certified For AR Kids' popular name and ballot title for a proposed education-related constitutional amendment on Feb. 26, the ballot title didn't need to meet the reading-level requirement because Act 602 was not yet in effect. The League and Save AR Democracy made the same point in their filing to argue that For AR Kids lacks standing to challenge the reading-level law. Protect AR Rights submitted its own proposed direct-democracy ballot title on May 19 that's still under review by the attorney general. LWVAR argues this group also does not have standing because its proposed ballot title has not been rejected because of Act 602. LWVAR argues that challenging Act 602 is further complicated because Griffin substituted and certified Save AR Democracy's ballot title on May 21 so that it would meet the eighth-grade reading level test. 'Even if Protect AR Rights had standing, the inclusion of that issue in the litigation would unnecessarily complicate this matter,' the response states. 'Nothing would prohibit Protect AR Rights from instituting litigation if it is denied a ballot title to meet the eighth grade reading level test.' Griffin argues that the motion to intervene should be denied because Protect AR Rights is the only party that can challenge Act 602. This is also the only claim that can be made against the attorney general, he said. State law requires the attorney general to certify or reject proposed ballot titles within 10 business days. The deadline for a response to Protect AR Rights' proposal is June 3. Because it is still under review, allowing the ballot question committee to intervene 'would require finding an injury in fact where such harm is hypothetical and not concrete,' Griffin wrote. 'Because Plaintiff SARD was able to satisfy the Act 602 requirement, the court has to resort to speculation to determine that Protect AR Rights' ballot title could never be at an eighth-grade reading level,' he said. 'For the same reasons, Protect AR Rights cannot bring a cause of action against Attorney General Griffin.' Regarding the proposed intervenors' challenge to the 2023 law requiring signatures from 50 counties, LWVAR's response notes that this law is already being challenged by the League in Pulaski County Circuit Court. The case has been fully argued, briefed and is awaiting the court's ruling. Plaintiffs argue there is no need for the claim to be pursued at this time and if it were allowed, it should be held in abeyance under the Pullman Doctrine, which provides that federal courts defer to state courts if the state ruling would resolve the federal issue. 'The issue before the Circuit Court is simply, can the Arkansas General Assembly amend the Arkansas State Constitution by statute? The League believes that it cannot, and a ruling in its favor would resolve the federal issue,' according to court documents. Griffin also cited the Pullman Doctrine and noted that the losing party in the case is expected to appeal to the Arkansas Supreme Court. 'Thus, the [federal] Court should abstain from exercising jurisdiction over this claim, which is only being made by Movants to intervene,' he wrote. 'Standing alone, this claim cannot be a basis for Movants to be entitled to intervention.' LWVAR further argues that Protect AR Rights' proposed ballot measure 'would conflict with and be in direct competition with' Save AR Democracy's approved measure because both seek to amend Article 5, Section 1 of the state Constitution, which governs the state's initiative and referendum process. 'It would be improper for the Protect AR Rights to intervene in litigation filed by SARD to get a measure approved that directly competes with the measure already approved and being circulated by SARD, in that it would create unnecessary conflict,' according to LWVAR's response. Save AR Democracy also argues Protect AR Rights' proposed ballot measure contradicts with a claim made in the complaint — that the 'exhaustive list of disqualifying offenses' that prohibits individuals from collecting signatures is unconstitutional. 'The measure submitted by Protect AR Rights to the Attorney General for approval would enshrine this very prohibition in the Arkansas constitution,' the response says. 'This represents a core political and policy difference between SARD and Protect AR Rights and would inject unnecessary controversy and conflict into the litigation.' Protect AR Rights' proposal also sets forth a procedure regarding a legal challenge to the ballot title that 'differs substantially' from Save AR Democracy's procedure. Save AR Democracy's measure would require an approved ballot title to be submitted to the secretary of state who publishes notice of approval and the procedure for challenging the approval. The measure would establish a 45-day window during which a challenge could be filed with the Arkansas Supreme Court. The Protect AR Rights measure would require a challenge to be filed within 10 business days of the attorney general sending the sponsor a letter approving the ballot title, but it provides for no notice. Providing the public 'adequate notice and opportunity' is essential to due process, the response states. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arkansas coalition speaks on proposed ballot measure process amendment
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — , a coalition of advocacy groups, is proposing a constitutional amendment called the Arkansas Ballot Measure Rights Amendment. aims to certify and restore the right of Arkansas citizens to propose and sign ballot measures and collect signatures. 'This past legislative session they passed such a big package of bills it essentially killed the ballot measure process for grassroots Arkansans,' said Bill Kopsky with Protect AR Rights. Arkansas coalition submits proposed ballot initiative to overturn legislative changes to referendum law New laws passed by the Arkansas Legislature include requirements such as ballot titles being read aloud to a signer, canvassers signing an affidavit stating they complied with the Arkansas Constitution and petition signers presenting a photo ID. State Sen. Kim Hammer (R-Benton) sponsored some of the legislation and said it strengthens the ballot initiative process. He said there is ample evidence of abuse of the system. 'I don't think they're strict regulations, I think they're regulations that make sure the process is at the highest level of integrity and that it brings safeguards into place that make sure that when someone signs that or somebody is asking for that to be signed, that every signature is counted for the value of the signature itself,' Hammer said. Kopsky said the new laws drag out the petition process and make it harder to get an initiative on the ballot. He believes the legislation is part of a broader effort to limit citizen participation in the legislative process. 'The Arkansas Legislature has been trying to strip away the rights of Arkansas citizens to use the ballot measure process to change the laws,' Kopsky said. ACLU representing two groups hoping to join Arkansas ballot bill lawsuit Hammer pushed back on criticisms, saying the intent behind the new rules is to protect the integrity of the process. 'The question of motive should not be on us, should be on those who are trying to stop what is going to bring about a clearer process,' he said. The ballot title has been submitted to the Attorney General's office for review. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
