Arkansas group collects signatures for ballot measure, considers working with similar coalition

The League of Women Voters of Arkansas is collecting signatures for its proposed ballot measure slowly and deliberately as the group navigates lawsuits and new requirements for gathering petitions.

The nonpartisan, grassroots organization and its ballot question committee, Save AR Democracy, is collecting signatures for a constitutional amendment aimed at protecting Arkansans’ right to direct democracy and preventing legislative interference in this process, which allows people to propose laws and put them to a statewide vote. Arkansas is one of 24 states that allow citizen-led initiatives, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

After the attorney general certified the ballot measure in late May, Michelle Wolchok, president of the League of Women Voters of Washington County and a member of Save AR Democracy, said the group had to wait a few weeks to begin collecting signatures because the state hadn’t yet written directions for how to comply with about a dozen new state laws affecting the initiative process.

New requirements include requesting a photo ID from potential signees, informing them petition fraud is a criminal offense and having them read a petition’s ballot title or have it read to them. Proponents said the laws will protect the integrity of the process, while opponents argued they’ll make it nearly impossible for Arkansans’ proposals to qualify for the ballot.


https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/07/07/arkansas-group-collects-signatures-for-ballot-measure-considers-partnering-with-coalition/