September 2022
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2022 Arkansas Ballot Issues Voter Guide Now Available
Arkansas voters in every county now have a neutral resource available to them to learn more about proposed constitutional amendments on their November ballot.

The 2022 Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide is available online at uaex.uada.edu/ballot. Printed versions of this voter guide will be available in early October at county extension offices.

The voter guide:
  • Shows how proposals will appear on the ballot
  • Answers basic questions about each issue
  • Shares reasons why people may support or oppose the proposals 
  • Includes a worksheet to record your voting plans


Update on Issue 4 Lawsuit
The Arkansas Supreme Court on Monday (Sept. 12) issued an order saying the Secretary of State must submit information about whether the ballot title for the marijuana proposal is sufficient.

An attorney for Responsible Growth Arkansas told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that the order was a procedural step in the ongoing lawsuit. Responsible Growth Arkansas filed the lawsuit after the State Board of Election Commissioners declined to certify their ballot title despite the group obtaining the required number of voter signatures.

State election commissioners rejected Issue 4's ballot title and said it should have explained how the proposal repeals a requirement that foods or drinks combined with marijuana not exceed 10 mg of THC per portion. The title instead mentioned the proposal would eliminate an existing section of law.


Note: We have corrected this section for new subscribers. We originally wrote that the Secretary of State needed to submit information about the signatures submitted. The Secretary of State's Offices does not typically make a statement regarding ballot titles.

Secretary of State John Thurston has since announced he found the ballot title insufficient because the Board of Election Commissioners declined to certify the ballot title. The process involving election commissioners is new. Read more about the law change that brought them into the process.
Constitutional Amendments on the 2022 Ballot
Below are links to the four constitutional amendments on the 2022 ballot. Find our fact sheets on each of the issues.
A constitutional amendment to allow the General Assembly to convene in extraordinary session upon the issuance of a joint written proclamation of the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate or upon the submission of a written proclamation containing the signatures of at least 2/3 of the members of the House of Representatives and at least 2/3 of the members of the Senate to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate requesting that the General Assembly convene in extraordinary session
A constitutional amendment to reform certain measures presented to voters, to be known as the "Constitutional Amendment and Ballot Initiative Reform Amendment”
A constitutional amendment to create the "Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment"
An amendment to authorize the possession, personal use, and consumption of cannabis by adults, to authorize the cultivation and sale of cannabis by licensed commercial facilities, and to provide for the regulation of those facilities.
2022 Arkansas Election Dates
Oct. 10 - Last day to register to vote ahead of General Election

Oct. 24 - Early voting starts for General Election, court elections, school elections

Nov. 8 - General Election, court elections, school elections

Dec. 6 - Runoff election, if needed, for General Election and school elections
Public Policy Center | uaex.uada.edu/ballot
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.

News & Notes Volume 9, Issue 10. 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."

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