HB1419

House Bill 1419, titled the 'Ensuring Access for All Arkansans and Voter Protection Act of 2023,' modifies the requirements for qualifying statewide ballot initiative and referendum petitions. The bill mandates that, in addition to existing requirements, petitioners must collect signatures from at least 50 of Arkansas's 75 counties. Within each of these 50 counties, the petition must reach a minimum threshold of signatures equal to one-half of the designated percentage of electors. The legislation stipulates that if a petition fails to meet these county-based geographic distribution requirements by the filing deadline, the election official must declare the petition insufficient and prohibits the submission of additional signatures to cure the deficiency. The bill includes an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately upon becoming law. The stated intent is to ensure broader geographic participation in the petition process.