2020 Voter Guide, Part 4 of 5
When you vote, your ballot will only show the Issue Number (if applicable), the Popular Name, and the Ballot Title.
ISSUE NO. 3
POPULAR NAME: A constitutional amendment to amend the process for the submission, challenge, and approval of proposed initiated acts, constitutional amendments, and referenda
BALLOT TITLE: An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to amend the process for the submission, challenge, and approval of proposed initiated acts, constitutional amendments, and referenda.
OUR SUMMARY: This amendment would require the voter signatures for statewide ballot measures proposed by the public be submitted to the Secretary of State by January 15 (and only after having published the measure in a newspaper at least thirty days prior) instead four months from the general election (early July); increase the number of counties where voter signatures must be collected from 15 to 45; establish April 15 as the deadline to file a lawsuit challenging a statewide ballot measure proposed by the public; eliminate the cure period for state, county, and city ballots (the grace period to correct or amend if the proposal is deemed insufficient); eliminate the requirement for the burden of proof to be upon the person attacking the validity of the proposal; and extend deadlines that fall on a weekend or holiday to the next business day.
It would effectively increase the number of votes needed to refer a constitutional amendment to voters from 50% to 60% and no longer require constitutional amendments, including those affecting the salaries of statewide elected officials and legislators, be published in a newspaper for six months ahead of the election but rather only be published "in a manner provided by law." This manner is not described.
SHORT AND SWEET: Makes it more difficult for ballot issues proposed by the public to make it to the ballot; require more votes from legislators to refer amendments to voters; and no longer require amendments, including those affecting state elected officials and legislators' salaries, be published in a newspaper for 6 months before an election but only "in a manner provided by law," which is not described.