The purpose of an Attorney General review and certification is to ensure that the popular name and ballot title honestly, intelligibly, and fairly set forth the purpose of the proposed amendment or act. Only after a ballot issue is certified can groups circulate petitions seeking voter signatures in support of putting the issue on the ballot.
Rejected Measures:
March 6, 2014 - The measure rejected on Feb. 19 was rejected again because of ambiguities in the proposal's ballot title and text. Opinion No. 2014-022 stated that changes made in response to the previous opinion muddied the current proposal. The measure was submitted by Robert L. Reed, chairman of Arkansans for Medical Cannabis Ballot Question Committee. Feb. 19, 2014 - Changes to a previously approved campaign finance ballot measure were rejected because of ambiguities in the proposal's text. Opinion No. 2014-015 said "The Campaign and Financing Act of 2014" included incorrect statements of the law and "simply misleads voters about the current state of the law and fails to inform them about what they would be voting for or against." Paul Spencer, co-chair of Regnat Populus Ballot Question Committee, submitted the request for certification. Feb. 19, 2014 - A proposed Arkansas Constitutional amendment to repeal laws prohibiting the production, distribution, sale and use of the cannabis plant and products was rejected because of ambiguities in the proposal. Opinion No. 2014-014 stated that the measure failed to mention that the issue was a constitutional amendment and included a vague time frame for the law's effective date. The measure was submitted by Robert L. Reed, chairman of the Arkansans for Medical Cannabis Ballot Question Committee. Certified Measures - Approved for signature gathering: Jan. 4, 2014 - A ballot question committee received approval for signature gathering for its proposal to change state law to raise the state's minimum wage. Opinion No. 2013-156 certified An Act to Increase the Arkansas Minimum Wage submitted by Stephen Copley of Little Rock who is chairman of Give Arkansas A Raise Now. Nov. 7, 2013 - A proposed amendment that would recognize marriage being between two people regardless of gender, and would repeal an existing amendment banning same sex marriage was approved. Opinion No. 2013-135 certified the measure submitted by Jack Weir III of Maumelle. Weir submitted the measure as "The Arkansas Marriage Amendment," although the Attorney General's office offered a "more correct name" of "The Arkansas Same-Sex Marriage Amendment." Oct. 3, 2013 - Arkansans for Compassionate Care's proposed ballot issue seeking to make the medical use and sale of marijuana legal was approved for signature gathering. Opinion No. 2013-118 certified "The Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act," which was submitted by Melissa Fults, Campaign Director for Arkansans for Compassionate Care, of Hensley. Sept. 19, 2013 - A proposed constitutional amendment seeking to repeal an existing amendment on same-sex marriage was certified. Opinion No. 2013-114 certified the measure "Repeal of the Arkansas Marriage Amendment." The proposal was submitted by Christina Harrison, founder of Arkansans for Equality, of Little Rock. Arkansans approved the original amendment in 2004 with 75 percent of the vote in favor. Sept. 16, 2013 - A proposed constitutional amendment to change the terms of county officials from two years to four years was certified. Opinion No. 2013-110 certified the ballot title, "Four Year Terms of Office For Elected County Officials, Justices of the Peace, and Constables." David Dinwiddie of Pine Bluff submitted the ballot issue. Aug. 6, 2013 - Arkansans for Responsible Medicine saw their proposed ballot issue seeking to make the medical use and sale of marijuana legal approved for signature gathering. Opinion No. 2013-081 said the popular name and ballot title for the "Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act" are "sufficient as proposed." The proposed ballot issue was submitted by David Couch, representing Arkansans for Responsible Medicine. Jan. 1, 2013 - In Opinion No. 2012-148, the Attorney General approved the popular name and ballot title submitted by the Regnat Populus ballot question committee. The committee submitted "The Campaign Finance and Lobbying Act of 2014." - Constitutional amendments require 78,133 valid signatures
- State statutes require 62,507 valid signatures
- The deadline to submit signatures is July 7, 2014
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