Public Policy Center | uaex.uada.edu/ballot
April 2024
Group Proposes Education Definitions, Equal Standards for Public Ed Funds in Constitution
A coalition of Arkansas nonprofits are working together as a ballot issue group to ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment requiring schools accepting public funds to meet the same academic and accreditation standards. The proposal, known as The Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024, also would define what an adequate education entails in the state constitution if passed this fall by voters.

But first the group needs to collect at least 90,704 voter signatures from 50 of the state's 75 counties to qualify for the November ballot.

The For AR Kids coalition includes the Arkansas Conference of the NAACP, the Arkansas Education Association, the Arkansas Public Policy Panel, the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, the Citizens First Congress and Stand Up Arkansas.

The ballot issue group previously included Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Standards or CAPES, but the nonpartisan group is no longer involved after its executive director stepped down from CAPES. The CAPES board has opted not to take a stance on the proposed amendment, according to one of its Facebook posts.

CAPES formed to oppose the LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that among other things allowed state education funds to pay for student tuition at private schools. CAPES attempted a statewide referendum on the law but didn't collect enough voter signatures to qualify and had paperwork issues.

The proposal from For AR Kids would not repeal the LEARNS Act, but it can trace its beginnings to the new law and the Lake View School District No. 25 v. Huckabee lawsuit from the 1990s. In addition to requiring schools receiving public funds to follow the same academic standards, the proposal also includes:

  • Expanding the state's obligation to maintain a free public school system that includes universal access to voluntary pre-k, after school and summer programs.

  • Providing assistance to children whose families are within 200% of the federal poverty line.

  • Requiring the legislature to appropriate the funds to accomplish the above items, and prohibiting them from making any changes to the amendment without another vote of the people.

Opposition Forming to Proposed Amendments
Multiple ballot question committees are forming to oppose the circulating issues. Any group that spends or raises $500 to support or oppose a ballot issue is required to file organizing paperwork and financial reports with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.

As of this week, groups have formed to oppose the Educational Rights Amendment, the Arkansas Abortion Amendment of 2024, and the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024. Click on the links in the next section to find information about those groups.

How Many Voter Signatures Are Needed?
To qualify for a spot on the November ballot, ballot issue groups seeking constitutional amendments must collect at least 90,704 signatures from Arkansas registered voters. Sponsors of an Act, or a state law, must collect at least 72,563 voter signatures. A certain percentage of those signatures must come from at least 50 of the state's 75 counties.

By signing a petition, a voter is expressing support for the issue to be on the ballot for voters to decide. The deadline to submit petitions is July 5, 2024.
Go Into the Weeds on Our Blog
Sponsors of seven potential ballot issues have filed organizing paperwork with the Arkansas Ethics Commission, a requirement that kicks in when a group has raised or spent at least $500 on their ballot issue.

Below are links to basic information about each proposal. In response to our previous newsletters, readers have asked us where they can find petitions to sign.The best answer to this question is to look at the ballot issue sponsor's website or social media accounts for petition locations as they must collect signatures from at least 50 counties.








You can also find information about Issue 1, a proposed amendment referred by the Legislature to expand lottery scholarships, at uaex.uada.edu/issue1.

Have Questions?
What are you wondering about these potential ballot issues? Have specific questions? Share those questions with us via this anonymous space.
Ballot Issue Lawsuits
Two lawsuits are underway involving 2024 ballot issues.

A lawsuit over the new requirement to collect voter signatures in 50 counties - up from 15 counties - continues in Pulaski County Circuit Court.

Judge Herbert Wright on March 5 issued an order rejecting the state's claim of sovereign immunity. He wrote that he was not making any findings at that time regarding the constitutionality of Act 236.

The state has again asked for the case to be dismissed while the plaintiffs, Sen. Bryan King and the League of Women Voters, have asked Judge Herbert Wright to find the new law unconstitutional.


Supporters of using paper ballots in Arkansas elections filed a lawsuit in February with the Arkansas Supreme Court also seeking to find the new county signature requirement unconstitutional. Conrad Reynolds and the Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative also want the Supreme Court to void a law that returned the ballot title review process back to the Attorney General's Office. The court originally planned to expedite the case but then changed its mind after court documents exceeded word counts.

The Arkansas Supreme Court this month denied a request for oral arguments and said the lawsuit would be decided based on the legal briefs submitted.


On the 2024 Ballot - From the Legislature
For the first time since 1986, Arkansas legislators referred only one constitutional amendment to voters.

Issue 1 - A constitutional amendment to provide that lottery proceeds may be used to fund or provide scholarships and grants to Arkansas citizens enrolled in vocational-technical schools and technical institutes. The current law only includes two-year and four-year colleges and universities.
Citizens Proposals for 2024 Ballot
Arkansas is one of 15 states where citizens have the right to put constitutional amendments, state laws and referendums on the ballot for voters to decide.

The citizen initiative process involves (1) filing a ballot title with the Attorney General's Office, (2) collecting voter signatures across the state, and (3) submitting signatures to the Secretary of State's Office for verification.

Referendums require voter signatures equaling 6% of the number of people who voted in the last governor's election. State laws require 8%, and constitutional amendments require 10%.

Attorney General Opinions
The Attorney General is responsible for reviewing the title and text of potential ballot issues from the public. Ballot issue groups can collect voter signatures only after the Attorney General verifies the ballot title and popular name honestly, intelligibly and fairly describe the purpose of a proposed constitutional amendment or act. The AG's Office releases opinions either approving or rejecting ballot titles.

Access Our Full List: Tracking 2024 Arkansas Ballot Issues

Recently Rejected Citizen Initiative Ballot Titles

  • No ballot title has been rejected since our March newsletter.

Approved Citizen Initiative Ballot Titles

  • Oct. 10, 2023 - An Act to Exempt Feminine Hygiene Products and Diapers from Sales and Use Tax - A proposal to exempt period products and diapers from local and state sales tax was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2023-092. David Couch of Little Rock submitted the proposed law.

  • Jan. 12, 2024 - Absentee Voting Amendment of 2024 - A proposal that would in part allow only the voter to handle their absentee ballot, and would also prohibit online voting, was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2023-132. Clinton Lancaster of Little Rock submitted the proposed amendment.

  • Jan. 23, 2024 - Arkansas Abortion Amendment of 2024 - A proposal that would allow abortion was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2024-004. Steven Nichols of Little Rock submitted the proposed amendment

  • Jan. 24, 2024 - The Arkansas Government Disclosure Amendment of 2024 - A proposed constitutional amendment related to public meetings, notices and records was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2024-005. David Couch of Little Rock and Jen Standerfer of Bentonville submitted the proposed amendment.

  • Jan. 29, 2024 - The Arkansas Government Disclosure Act of 2024 - A proposal regarding public records, notices and meetings, along with the creation of a new commission, according to Opinion No. 2024-20. David Couch of Little Rock and Jen Standerfer of Bentonville submitted the proposed law.

  • Feb. 2, 2024 - The Arkansas Historic or Special Interest Vehicle Act of 2024 - A proposal to change when a vehicle can qualify for antique license plates was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2024-017. David Dinwiddie of Pine Bluff submitted the proposed law.

  • Feb. 20, 2024 - Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024 - A proposal to expand the state's medical marijuana program was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2024-028. Erika Gee of Little Rock submitted the proposed amendment.

  • Feb. 29, 2024 - Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024 - An updated version of the proposal approved for signature gathering on Feb. 20 was accepted as a replacement, according to Opinion No. 2024-037. Stephen Lancaster of Little Rock submitted the proposed amendment.

  • March 1, 2024 - The Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024 - A proposal requiring any school receiving state or local funds to have identical academic standards and identical standards for accreditation, including assessments of students and schools based on such standards was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2024-033. Bill Kopsky of Little Rock submitted the proposed amendment.

  • March 20, 2024 - An amendment requiring local voter approval in a countywide special election for certain new casino licenses and repealing authority to issue a casino license in Pope County, Arkansas - A proposal to remove Pope County from the state constitution as a location where casino gaming is allowed and to establish a requirement for local elections on future casinos was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2024-046. Elizabeth Robben Murray of Little Rock submitted the proposed amendment.
PPC in the Community - Civic Engagement
The Public Policy Center has joined a team of Arkansans to amplify civic engagement across Arkansas, an outcome of the recent Arkansas Civic Health Index Report.

Have an opinion on civic engagement in the Natural State? Attend one of the listening sessions planned for May in Clinton, West Memphis, Arkadelphia and Conway.
Voter Education Resources
#ARballot

State Ballot Issues
Access Our Information

Voter Resources

Local Ballot Issues
Access Local Election

Blog
Read our department blog at Strengthening Arkansas Communities


Ballot Issue Tracker
Links to AG Opinions for 2024 ballot

Archive
Research past Arkansas ballot issues in our Archive

Did someone share this email with you? 
Subscribe to get Arkansas Ballot Issues News & Notes in your inbox every month.

The Public Policy Center was established in 2004 to provide Arkansans with timely, credible, unaligned and research-based information and education about public issues. Public issues are defined as pressing and emerging issues that involve multiple points of view and have widespread consequences.

Our goals are to:
  • Increase citizen knowledge, awareness and understanding of public issues;
  • Enhance public participation in decisions regarding public issues, and
  • Help citizens craft, evaluate and implement alternative solutions to public issues.

We are part of the Community, Professional and Economic Development unit at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service in Little Rock.

News & Notes Volume 11, Issue 4. This e-mail newsletter is shared with Cooperative Extension Service agents, subscribers from the general public and election officials or educators identified by the Public Policy Center. To unsubscribe, click below on "instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe."

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.