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August 2022
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#ARballot
Marijuana Maybe, But No Casino Vote On Nov. 8
Recreational marijuana is on the ballot - for now.

The Arkansas Supreme Court responded to Responsible Growth Arkansas' request to temporarily put the issue on the November ballot until justices have time to review whether the text of the citizen group's ballot title should have been certified.

The Secretary of State's Office must send counties the official General Election ballot by Aug. 25, which isn't enough time for the court to review the lawsuit Responsible Growth Arkansas filed Aug. 4 after the State Board of Election Commissioners declined to certify their ballot title despite the group obtaining the required number of voter signatures.

Recreational Marijuana will be Issue 4 on the Nov. 8 ballot. If the court decides against the issue's inclusion on the ballot, any votes cast for or against the measure won't be counted.

The proposal would change the state's medical marijuana amendment from 2016 to allow for the growing and selling of recreational marijuana. It also would allow adults 21 and older to legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana.

State election commissioners rejected the proposal's ballot title after saying it should explain how it 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.

One of those commissioners also said she was concerned that removing requirements for owners to have background checks could allow people with criminal backgrounds to own marijuana facilities.

Casino Proposal Misses Mark
Fair Play for Arkansas 2022 did not collect enough voter signatures to qualify their ballot title for the General Election, according to the Secretary of State's Office.

The group's proposal would have removed Pope County as one of the four casino gaming locations authorized in the state constitution.

Election officials notified the group that only 62,859 of the signatures submitted in July were verified. That put the group below the threshold to qualify for the ballot and to qualify for additional time to collect more voter signatures.

State election commissioners also declined to certify the ballot title submitted by Fair Play for Arkansas 2022 when they met Aug. 3.

What's Next?
The Arkansas Supreme Court has scheduled multiple deadlines through Sept. 2 for attorneys in the recreational marijuana case to file their various responses to the claims made in the lawsuit.


In addition to the recreational marijuana proposal, the 2022 ballot will include three proposed constitutional amendments from the Arkansas legislature. Find links to those proposals in a section below.

We will publish a voter guide online in early September on the final ballot measures. A printed voter guide will be available at county Extension offices by early October.
2022 Ballot Measures from the Legislature
Arkansas House and Senate members voted to put three proposed constitutional amendments on the Nov. 8, 2022 General Election ballot. Check out our websites on each issue.
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"
2022 Arkansas Election Dates
Aug. 25 - Deadline for Secretary of State to send counties the official ballot

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 9. 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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