What to know about Arkansas' ballot initiatives before Election Day
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An election worker hands an "I voted" sticker to a voter. Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios
It's been on-again, off-again for Arkansas ballot initiatives this year — so if you're confused, you're not alone.
Why it matters: Election Day is 16 days out and early voting begins Monday. All the issues will be listed on ballots, but due to legal maneuvering, many voters still aren't certain if their choices for some of the proposed issues will be counted.
State of play: Here's a snapshot of where things stand as of Monday morning.
Issue 1 would allow the existing Arkansas Scholarship Lottery to be applied to vocational and technical schools instead of only traditional academic colleges.
- There was no opposition blocking this measure from being presented on the ballot or from the votes being counted.
A vote FOR is in favor of changing the state constitution to allow broader educational use of lottery funds.
- An AGAINST vote is in to prevent the change.
Issue 2 would revoke a casino license issued in Pope County by the Arkansas Racing Commission and require any future license to be approved by county voters.
- There was much back-and-forth on this issue that involved signature counts, questions about how procedures were followed and a lawsuit.
- Two separate Arkansas Supreme Court decisions last week denied petitions by the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee and Cherokee Nation Entertainment seeking to disqualify the issue. Votes on the issue will be counted.
A vote FOR is in favor of changing the state constitution, removing the Pope County casino license and any future licenses approved by a statewide vote will require a special election within the county where the casino is to be located.
- An AGAINST vote would allow the Pope County casino gaming license to remain in place and future licenses approved by a statewide vote will not require a special election within the county where the casino is to be located.
Issue 3 would have revised the state's existing medical marijuana laws so that, among other things, medical professionals — not just doctors — would be able to sign off on medical marijuana cards, and patients ages 21 and up would be allowed to grow and process marijuana plants at home.
- After initially qualifying for a cure period to get more signatures for Issue 3, on Sept. 1, Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston said the petition was short of about 2,600 valid signatures.
- Arkansans for Patient Access, the group behind the initiative, filed a complaint with the state supreme court to reverse Thurston's decision.
- Yes, but: On Monday, Oct. 21, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that the language for the proposed constitutional amendment is misleading to voters and that votes do not need to be counted.
Go deeper: See our complete voter guide
Editor's note: This story was updated after the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled on Monday, Oct. 21 that the votes for Issue 3 won't be counted.