Arkansans for Limited Government announced Wednesday that they now need 5,800 petition signatures in order to get the Arkansas Abortion Amendment on the ballot in November. If passed, the amendment would allow for abortions under any circumstance within 18 weeks of fertilization as well as in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies or to “protect a pregnant female’s life or to protect a pregnant female from a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury.”
On Monday, a similar post said that the organization needed 10,000 signatures, and yesterday, the group reported needing 8,200, suggesting that serious progress is being made and that momentum could be picking up. It remains to be seen whether the rate will be quick enough to reach the necessary threshold of 90,704 registered voters by the Friday, July 5 deadline. Organizers are urging people to sign no later than Thursday, as Friday will be a hectic day of sorting packets and moving boxes of signature sheets to the secretary of state’s office.
We’re down to the wire here.
If you haven’t signed yet, and would like to, you can find a list of signing events and permanent signing locations throughout the state here. The Arkansas Times office is among them: 201 E. Markham St., Suite 150, in downtown Little Rock. Volunteers will also be collecting signatures in support of proposed amendments and statutes related to medical marijuana, government transparency, public education and taxes on menstrual products and diapers.