HJR1016
A Constitutional Amendment To Repeal The Provision Of Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, § 1, Allowing The Sponsor Of An Initiative Or Referendum Petition To Correct Or Amend A Petition.
Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Joint Resolution 1016 is a proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution that would remove the current provision allowing sponsors of initiative or referendum petitions to correct or amend a petition if it is determined to be insufficient by the Secretary of State or a local clerk. Current law allows a 30-day window for statewide petitions and a 10-day window for local petitions to remedy deficiencies, provided certain signature thresholds are met. This resolution seeks to strike the language that grants this remedial period. If passed by the legislature, the proposal would be submitted to the electors of Arkansas for approval at the next general election. If adopted by voters, the amendment would take effect on January 1, 2027.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this proposal would be individuals or political groups who seek to increase the regulatory hurdles for ballot initiatives and referendums, as well as state and local election officials who would no longer be required to oversee the correction or amendment process for submitted petitions.
Who Might Suffer?
The groups most negatively impacted would be citizens, grassroots organizers, and advocacy organizations that utilize the initiative and referendum process to place measures on the ballot. By removing the ability to cure petition defects, the amendment would make it significantly harder for these groups to qualify measures for the ballot, as any error or insufficiency found by election officials would lead to immediate disqualification without an opportunity for remedy.
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