LITTLE ROCK, AR – In 2023, together with State Senator Bryan King, the League of Women Voters of Arkansas filed a lawsuit challenging Act 236 that impaired the rights of Arkansans to the initiative and referendum process.  The law changed the initiative process by increasing over 300% the number of counties in which signatures must be collected.

“For over a century, the League of Women Voters of Arkansas has been steadfast in defending our constitutional rights” said Arkansas League President Bonnie Miller. “We filed this lawsuit three years ago immediately following its passage and today we celebrate the striking down of this thinly veiled attempt to silence the voters. This is a good day for the people.“

State Senator Bryan King (R) agrees. “Our founding fathers would be proud of this decision today. They started a movement and fought so the common citizens could have the right to challenge their government. The constitution and the citizens were victorious today.”

Veteran ballot measure attorney David Couch represented the League and Senator King in their lawsuit. “This law was clearly unconstitutional and we are grateful to Judge Shawn Johnson for his thoughtful ruling enjoining the state from enforcing the law. In Arkansas, the people rule.”

The suit filed in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County alleged that the law was unconstitutional based on the grounds that it conflicts with the express conditions set forth in the Initiative and Referendum Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution.

For questions or additional comments, please contact Bonnie Miller, President of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas by email at info [at] lwvar.org

Read the complete ruling here.

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