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🏛️ - How does this whole amendment thing even work?

An organization known as “Arkansans for Limited Government” has filed an amendment looking to enshrine abortion in the Arkansas Constitution.
This amendment would legalize abortions up to 18 weeks after conception (20 weeks), with exceptions for rape, incest, health of the mother, and fatal fetal anomaly.
In order for this amendment to make it all the way to the ballot box in November, a few different steps have to happen:
- The Attorney General has to approve the language. It can not be misleading, contradictory, or partisan.
  - After each submission, he has 10 days to approve or reject with suggested changes.
- Assuming the Attorney General signs off on it, they can begin collecting signatures. They need 90,704 in order to make it on the ballot.
  - The people supporting the amendment must collect 68,028 valid signatures by July 5th.
    - wThe signatures must come from 50/75 Arkansas counties. This keeps Little Rock and NWA from being petition hotspots.
  - If they collect 68,028 signatures by July 5th, they qualify for an additional 30 day “cure period” to collect the remaining.
- If Arkansans for Limited Government collects the valid signatures and are certified by the Secretary of State’s office, the amendment will be on the November Ballot.

** It is important to note that the Attorney General must remain impartial throughout this process, regardless of his views on the issue.*

👀 - Where things stand as of 12/18/2023

On December 18th, Arkansans for Limited Government submitted a second version of their amendment to the Attorney General. They changed the title to more accurately reflect what it does. Where it formerly said “Reproductive Healthcare Amendment”, it now is called the “Arkansas Abortion Amendment”.

The Attorney General now has 10 days to approve or reject with suggestions. If he approves, they are allowed to begin gathering signatures. We can expect a response around January 5th.

Reproductive rights advocates file a second draft with the AG to put abortion access on the ballot

🕵🏻‍♂️ - A little background