There is some news from the Arkansas Advocate including a clarification of the law.
Abortion amendment continues ballot push, two other measures shift focus to 2026
arkansasadvocate.com/…
We learned yesterday that Arkansans For Limited Govenrment are not accepting the disqualification on spurious grounds. Reporters did receive copies of the petition submission that did include the documents the Secretary Of State claimed were missing. From the linked article:
“The biggest news came Wednesday when Secretary of State John Thurston rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to expand abortion access in the state because of missing paperwork. Arkansans for Limited Government, which delivered a letter to Thurston’s office Thursday, argued it did submit the documents in question and vowed to challenge the disqualification.”
In the linked article we find out that even if there are not enough validated signatures there is an opportunity to submit more signatures.
“Sponsors may submit additional signatures if the initial submission includes 75% of the overall required signatures and 75% of the required number from 50 counties.”
But first they have to count them.
The refusal to count signatures on a constitution amendment referendum is voter nullification. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Secretary Of State Thurston are clearly lying about the reasons they are doing this. The correct paperwork was submitted and reporters have received copies of it. Besides, the law requiring the names of paid canvassers and the affidavits affirming that they were trained does not call for not counting the signatures as a way to resolve the issue.
I signed the petition, and I want my signature counted!
Count the signatures! Count the signatures!
If we can focus national attention on the egregious behavior at the top of Arkansas governance this could blow up to be bigger than podiumgate.
Links to my previous coverage on this issue including action ideas in the comments.
We need help in Arkansas
www.dailykos.com/...
Arkansas abortion amendment organizers claim secretary of state ‘failed to fulfill’ his duty…
www.dailykos.com/…
There’s a reason the republicans are doing this. If the amendment is put on the ballot it will pass. Many of Arkansas’ neighboring states have abortion bans in place. This makes this a national issue and the voter nullification makes this a national issue. I’m asking you to make some good trouble.