Sec. of State John Thurston rejected the Arkansas Abortion Amendment based on a paperwork error, but women’s health advocates are not going away without a fight.
David Ramsey
David Ramsey is a contributing editor for the Arkansas Times and the Oxford American. You can follow his writing at his Substack blog/newsletter, Tropical Depression. https://davidbramsey.substack.com
Posted inArkansas Blog
Attorney general asks state Supreme Court to dismiss lawsuit over abortion amendment (UPDATED)
Attorney General Tim Griffin contends the abortion-rights group essentially failed to turn in a petition at all when they failed to include a signed statement about paid canvassers.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Secretary of state insists abortion amendment is still disqualified, won’t address key legal questions
With Thurston not backing down, a lawsuit seems increasingly likely.
Posted inArkansas Blog
The 4 legal questions that will decide the fate of Arkansas’s abortion rights ballot initiative
While we wait to hear how Secretary of State John Thurston responds to supporters of the abortion amendment, here’s a breakdown of the issues at play.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Whiplash: Why the Arkansas Abortion Amendment still might be in play
State officials disqualified the measure Wednesday. But new records show their justifications may not hold up to scrutiny.
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Newly released records raise questions about secretary of state’s rejection of abortion amendment
John Thurston’s letter strongly implied abortion advocates had failed to turn in a list of paid canvassers on July 5. In fact, they did.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Education amendment would be biggest progressive policy win in Arkansas since Medicaid expansion
The education amendment faces an uphill climb to make the ballot, but if it does, it will be a political earthquake with massive policy stakes.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Education amendment nearing county goal, still needs thousands more signatures
The education amendment has now reached the needed signature threshold in 49 of the required 50 counties.
Posted inArkansas Blog
State ends fiscal year with $700 million surplus
Arkansas ended fiscal year 2024 with a budget surplus of $698.4 million. Here’s what that means in practice.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Education amendment down to the wire for collecting signatures
For AR Kids, the group behind the Educational Rights Amendment, is racing to meet the signature threshold by the July 5 deadline.