In a bid to regulate the ballot measure process in Arkansas, Republican state senator Mark Johnson and his colleagues passed a bill requiring the full title of proposed measures to be read aloud during signature collection. Other rules include showing ID, acknowledging fraud, and potential penalties for non-compliance. This move aligns with a trend in Republican-led states, including Arkansas, to tighten rules around citizen-led ballot measures to combat perceived fraud.

Critics, like Bonnie Miller of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, argue that these laws hinder voter participation in direct democracy and create barriers for grassroots efforts. Miller’s group is even suing state election officials over the constitutionality of the new requirements, fearing a chilling effect on canvassing and petition signing.

Meanwhile, supporters like Johnson defend the measures as necessary to protect against special interest manipulation and maintain the integrity of the ballot process. The Fairness Project’s Kelly Hall notes a nationwide surge in efforts to limit citizen-initiated ballot measures, with some states, like Florida, raising the threshold for passage to 60%.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill similar to Arkansas’s, aiming to curb petition fraud and maintain the integrity of the constitutional amendment process. However, critics argue that these laws may penalize human errors and make it harder for voters to engage in direct democracy effectively. Overall, the debate highlights a broader tension between state lawmakers and their constituents over the accessibility and integrity of the ballot initiative process.