Arkansas Ballot Measures 2024 

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Below is a list of ballot proposals vying for passage in Arkansas this year.

Measures referred to the ballot by the Arkansas Legislature will appear on the ballot this November. The Arkansas General Assembly can refer up to three proposed state constitutional amendments for a vote. 

Supporters of the proposed state constitutional amendments must gather at least 90,704 petition signatures by July 5, 2024, in order to be eligible for placement on the November 2024 general election ballot. If passed, amendments become part of the Arkansas State Constitution and can only be changed by passage of another amendment in a statewide vote. 

Supporters of initiated acts must gather at least 72,563 petition signatures by July 5, 2024, in order to be eligible for placement on the November 2024 General Election Ballot. If passed, initiated acts can be changed by two-thirds vote of the Arkansas Legislature.

Additional information about the ballot measures is available here.

Amendment Referred by the Arkansas Legislature 

Arkansas Lottery Proceed Funding for Vocational-Technical School Scholarships and Grants Amendment: The proposed constitutional amendment would allow proceeds from the state lottery to fund scholarships and grants for vocational-technical schools and technical institutes.

Arkansas 2024 Proposed State Constitutional Amendments

 The Absentee Voting Amendment of 2024: A proposal that would in part allow only the voter to handle their absentee ballot, and would also prohibit online voting.

Arkansas Abortion Amendment of 2024: A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize abortion. 

The Arkansas Government Disclosure Amendment of 2024: A proposed constitutional amendment related to public meetings, notices and records.

Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024: A proposed constitutional amendment expands marijuana availability and legalize home grown marijuana. 

The Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024: A proposal requiring any school receiving state or local funds to have identical academic standards and identical standards for accreditation, including assessments of students and schools based on such standards.

An amendment requiring local voter approval in a countywide special election for certain new casino licenses and repealing authority to issue a casino license in Pope County, Arkansas: A proposal to remove Pope County from the state constitution as a location where casino gaming is allowed and to establish a requirement for local elections on future casinos.

Arkansas 2024 Proposed Initiated Acts 

An Act to Exempt Feminine Hygiene Products and Diapers from Sales and Use Tax: A proposal to exempt period products and diapers from local and state sales tax.

The Arkansas Government Disclosure Act: A proposal regarding public records, notices and meetings, along with the creation of a new commission.

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Ballot Committees Vying to Pass Constitutional Amendments in Arkansas

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With only a year until the 2024 elections, ballot committees are vying to place proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot in Arkansas.

For example, the group Restore Election Integrity Arkansas recently filed paperwork indicating it will work for an amendment requiring elections to use secure paper ballots.

Arkansas Citizens for Truth, Justice, and the American Way likewise has announced it plans to work for passage of five constitutional amendments: one repealing the state sales tax on used cars; another lowering the state sales tax on new vehicles; a third amendment abolishing property tax for individuals over age 65; an amendment to strengthen Arkansas’ Freedom of Information Act; and an amendment “to concern casinos in Arkansas.”

The group notes that these amendments would be for the 2026 election cycle.

The organization Arkansans for World Class Education continues raising funds in the state, according to reports filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.

The group worked unsuccessfully to place the “Public Schools Amendment of 2022” on the ballot last year. Among other things, that proposed amendment would have removed the provision in the Arkansas Constitution that lets the legislature make laws concerning the State Board of Education.

The committee Arkansans for Cannabis Reform signaled last year that it might try to place a marijuana amendment on the 2024 ballot, but has reported no activity since then. In 2020 the group unsuccessfully worked to place a recreational marijuana amendment on the ballot.

Although no official ballot committee has formed yet, it is possible the abortion industry will attempt to use Arkansas’ petition process to place an abortion amendment on the ballot in 2024.

Late last year, pro-abortion groups released statements to the media listing Arkansas as one of the places where they would like to pass an abortion amendment.

In January our team intercepted a political poll asking voters in Arkansas a series of questions about campaign messaging for an abortion amendment. 

For example, some of the poll questions were along the lines of, “Does the statement, ‘This amendment safeguards reproductive freedom’ make you more likely or less likely to vote for the amendment?”

More than one national pro-life  leader has told us that they have heard rumors about pro-abortion petition drives kicking off in Arkansas ahead of 2024 as well.

If that happens, the next 12 months could be a critical time for the pro-life movement in Arkansas.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Planned Parenthood Endorses 21 Candidates in Arkansas

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Planned Parenthood has endorsed 21 candidates in Arkansas ahead of the November 8, 2022, election.

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest abortion provider and a major proponent of transgender ideology. Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes is the political arm for Planned Parenthood’s affiliate in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.

According to a statement on its website, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes has endorsed the following 21 candidates in Arkansas:

  • Chris Jones (D) for Governor
  • Kelly Krout (D) for Lt. Governor
  • Frank Scott, Jr. (D) for Little Rock City Mayor
  • Garry Smith (D) for Senate District 2
  • Cortney Warwick McKee (D) for Senate District 6
  • David Barber (D) for Senate District 17
  • Nick Cartwright (D) for Senate District 18
  • Jim Wallace (D) for Senate District 28
  • Greg Leding (D) for Senate District 30
  • Lisa Parks (D) for Senate District 31
  • Markeeta Tucker (D) for House District 6
  • David Whitaker (D) for House District 22
  • Denise Garner (D) for House District 20
  • Nicole Clowney (D) for House District 21
  • Tippi McCullough (D) for House District 33
  • Milton Nicks, Jr. (D) for House District 35
  • Jay Richardson (D) for House District 49
  • Bruce Martin (D) for House District 61
  • Judson Scanlon (D) for House District 70
  • John J. Pack (D) for House District 71
  • Denise Ennett (D) for House District 80

Early voting in Arkansas begins Monday, October 24.

According to the most recent reports filed with the Secretary of State’s office, Planned Parenthood has been largely inactive in Arkansas’ political races this year.

As far as Family Council knows, the only 2022 political contribution Planned Parenthood’s PAC has made in Arkansas was $2,900 to Lisa Parks (D – Springdale) on January 31 in support of her campaign.

Planned Parenthood’s political action committee reportedly has a little over $12,000 that it could spend influencing elections in Arkansas this year.

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