Arkansas voters decide more than candidates on Election Day. You also have a role in shaping state policies by voting on proposals that seek to create new laws or change the state constitution. Arkansas is one of 15 states where citizens can propose constitutional amendments, state laws and veto referendums on the ballot for voters to decide. These are often called ballot measures, ballot issues, or citizen initiatives. Legislators also have the right to refer up to three constitutional amendments on the statewide ballot.
Recently, Secretary of State John Thurston released the full list of statewide ballot measures and a complete list of every candidate running in each county in the state for the November 5 election.
Here are the three Issues on the 2024 ballot along with Conduit’s position:
Issue 1: Allowing State Lottery Proceeds to Fund Vocational or Technical School Scholarships for Arkansans — FOR
(Popular name: A Constitutional Amendment to Provide that Lottery Proceeds May Be Used to Fund or Provide Scholarships and Grants to Arkansas Citizens Enrolled in Vocational-Technical Schools and Technical Institutes)
Referred by legislators, Issue 1 asks voters to change the state’s lottery amendment so funds from ticket sales can also be used at public or private “vocational-technical schools and technical institutes.” Currently, Amendment 87 says lottery revenue can fund scholarships at private and public non-profit two and four-year colleges and universities in the state. Legislators are able to establish criteria to determine who is eligible to receive scholarships and grants. Rep. Robin Lundstrum, who sponsored the ballot issue, said the scholarship expansion was a bipartisan effort in the legislature.
Issue 2: Repealing Pope County Casino License and Requiring Local Elections — FOR
(Popular Name: An amendment requiring local voter approval in a countywide special election for certain new casino licenses and repealing authority to issue a casino license in Pope County, Arkansas)
Arkansas voters approved four casino gaming locations when they passed Amendment 100 in 2018. Issue 2’s sponsor, Local Voters in Charge, is asking voters statewide to remove Pope County from the Arkansas Constitution. Issue 2 would eliminate the casino gaming license recently issued to Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which has plans to build a casino and hotel near Russellville.
Whether voters will see Issue 2 on Election Day depends on the Arkansas Supreme Court. Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee filed a lawsuit challenging the ballot title as well as canvassers’ signature gathering practices.
Issue 3: Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment — AGAINST
(Popular Name: The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024)
Issue 3 seeks to expand the state’s medical marijuana program, which voters approved in 2016. The proposal would allow more types of health care providers, such as registered nurses, to qualify patients for medical marijuana cards. Health care providers could also decide whether a person has a medical issue they think would benefit from marijuana use. Currently, the state constitution limits the types of qualifying medical issues. Issue 3 also would allow cardholders to grow up to 14 marijuana plants (7 mature and 7 smaller plants) at home.
In addition to changes to the medical marijuana program, Issue 3 would prevent state legislators from making changes to constitutional amendments unless specifically permitted in the amendment. Otherwise, they would be required to put changes on the ballot for voters to decide.
The UofA Public Policy Center provides additional information, and does a wonderful job helping Arkansans better understand the financial, social, or policy implications of a proposed law by publishing research-based fact sheets. Learn more by visiting their website here.
