§ 7-9-107 — Filing of original draft before circulation

Arkansas § 7-9-107

• Jurisdiction: Arkansas
• Title: 7

Text

(a) Before any initiative petition or referendum petition ordering a vote upon any amendment or act shall be circulated for obtaining signatures of petitioners, the sponsors shall submit the original draft with the Attorney General. (b) The original draft shall include: (1) The full text of the proposed measure; (2) A ballot title for the proposed measure; and (3) A popular name for the proposed measure. (c) The Attorney General shall return to the sponsor a file-marked copy of the original draft that shall serve as evidence that the original draft was filed in compliance with this section. (d) (1) Within ten (10) business days, the Attorney General shall approve and certify or shall substitute and certify a more suitable and correct ballot title and popular name for each amendment or act. (2) The ballot title so submitted or supplied by the Attorney General shall briefly and concisely state the purpose of the proposed measure. (e) If, as a result of his or her review of the ballot title and popular name of a proposed initiated act or a proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution, the Attorney General determines that the ballot title or the nature of the issue, is presented in such manner that the ballot title would be misleading or designed in such manner that a vote "FOR" the issue would be a vote against the matter or viewpoint that the voter believes himself or herself casting a vote for, or, conversely, that a vote "AGAINST" the issue would be a vote for a viewpoint that the voter is against, the Attorney General may reject the entire ballot title, popular name, and petition and state his or her reasons therefor and instruct the petitioners to redesign the proposed measure and the ballot title and popular name in a manner that would not be misleading. (f) If the Attorney General refuses to act or if the sponsors feel aggrieved at the Attorney General's acts in such premises, the sponsors may, by petition, apply to the Supreme Court for proper relief.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2023, No. 194,§ 2, eff. 3/6/2023. Amended by Act 2019, No. 376,§ 6, eff. 3/8/2019. Amended by Act 2013, No. 1413,§ 9, eff. 4/22/2013. Amended by Act 2013, No. 1413,§ 8, eff. 4/22/2013. Acts 1943, No. 195, § 4; 1977, No. 208, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-208; Acts 1989, No. 280, § 3; 1989, No. 912, § 6.