County election officials received the official statewide ballot on Aug. 20. The ballot titles went out the day after the Arkansas Supreme Court rejected efforts from voters to require Secretary of State Cole Jester to count signatures collected for the Arkansas Ballot Measure Rights Amendment.
The official ballot includes three constitutional amendments from the legislature and one bond issue referred by the legislature.
The Public Policy Center has launched websites for each ballot measure and will be adding more information to the websites once the center finalize our 2026 Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide.
Since 2004, the Public Policy Center has published fact sheets on statewide ballot measures so voters have a better understanding of what is being asked of them on Election Day. The fact sheets go through a vetting process that includes reviews by issue supporters and opponents.
When is the Next Election for Arkansas Ballot Issues?
Early voting starts Oct. 1, 2026 for the Nov. 3 general election. If you aren’t already registered to vote, Oct. 5 is the deadline to complete your registration to be able to vote in the November election.
What Will Be on the Arkansas Ballot?
Arkansas legislators have referred three proposed constitutional amendments and a $500 million bond issue to voters on the November 2026 ballot. Read more about each ballot measure by clicking on our websites below.
Issue 1 of 2026 – Defining Who is Eligible to Vote in Arkansas
Popular Name: A constitutional amendment to be known as “The Citizens Only Voting Amendment” and providing that only a citizen of the United States meeting the qualifications of an elector under the Arkansas Constitution may vote in an election in this state.
Ballot Title: An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to create “The Citizens Only Voting Amendment”; to provide that only a citizen of the United States meeting the qualifications of an elector under the Arkansas Constitution may vote in an election in this state; and providing that a person who does not meet the qualifications of an elector under the Arkansas Constitution shall not be permitted to vote in any state or local election held in this state.
How did Issue 1 get on the ballot? The Arkansas Constitution grants the legislature the right to include up to three constitutional amendments on the general election ballot. The Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives voted in April 2025 to place Issue 1 on the November 2026 General Election Ballot.
Amending the state constitution requires the approval of a majority of voters in a statewide election. Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026.
Who are the sponsors of this proposal? Rep. David Ray of Maumelle and Sen. John Payton of Wilburn
View the Complete Text: On Election Day, the ballot will show only the popular name and ballot title of this issue.
Every proposal has more text to it that further describes the proposed law. Read the complete text of Issue 1, or HJR1018 of 2025 as it was previously known, on the legislature’s website.
What does a “FOR” vote mean? What does an “AGAINST” vote mean? A FOR vote means you are in favor of changing the Arkansas Constitution to specifically say only U.S. citizens who satisfy the existing qualifications of an elector may vote in Arkansas elections, and that a person who doesn’t satisfy those requirements may not vote in a state or local election. The four existing qualifications, including U.S. citizenship, would remain unchanged.
An AGAINST vote means you are not in favor of changing Article 3 of the Arkansas Constitution about who can vote in Arkansas elections.
Issue 2 of 2026 – Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment
Popular Name: A constitutional amendment to amend Arkansas Constitution, Article 2, & 5, to protect the right to keep and bear arms.
Ballot Title: An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to provide that the citizens of the state of Arkansas shall have the right to keep and bear arms for their common defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use, and for any other lawful purpose; providing that the right to keep and bear arms includes without limitation the possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components; and providing that the right to keep and bear arms is a natural, fundamental, and individual right that shall not be infringed.
How did Issue 2 get on the ballot? The Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives voted in April 2025 to place Issue 2 on the November 2026 General Election Ballot. The Arkansas Constitution grants the legislature the right to include up to three constitutional amendments on the general election ballot.
Constitutional amendments currently require the approval of a majority of voters in a statewide election. Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026.
Who are the main sponsors of this proposal? Sen. John Payton of Wilburn and Rep. Matt Duffield of Russellville
View the Complete Text: On Election Day, the ballot will show only the popular name and ballot title of this issue.
Every proposal has more text to it that further describes the proposed law. Read the complete text of Issue 2, or SJR11 of 2025 as it was previously known, on the legislature’s website.
What does a “FOR” vote mean? What does an “AGAINST” vote mean? A FOR vote means you are in favor of changing the state constitution to add the possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components without limitation to the Arkansas Constitution under the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and specifying the right applies to lawful hunting, recreational use and other lawful purposes.
An AGAINST vote means you are not in favor of adding this amendment changing the state constitution. The existing language in Article 2, Section 5 would remain in place.
Issue 3 of 2026 – Allowing the Legislature to Create Programs, Loans and Grants Using Public Money and to Create Economic Development Districts
Popular Name: A Constitutional Amendment Concerning Economic Development in the State of Arkansas; and Authorizing the General Assembly to Provide for the Creation of Economic Development Districts Within Cities, Counties, or Cooperative Areas to Promote Economic Development Within the Economic Development District
Ballot Title: An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning economic development in the state of Arkansas; and authorizing the general assembly to provide for the creation of economic development districts within cities, counties, or cooperative areas to promote economic development within the economic development district.
How did Issue 3 get on the ballot? The Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives voted in April 2025 to place Issue 3 on the November 2026 General Election Ballot. The Arkansas Constitution grants the legislature the right to include up to three constitutional amendments on the general election ballot.
Constitutional amendments currently require the approval of a majority of voters in a statewide election. Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026.
Who were the main sponsors of this proposal? Sen. Jonathan Dismang of Searcy and Rep. Howard Beaty of Crossett
View the Complete Text: On Election Day, the ballot will show only the popular name and ballot title of this issue.
Every proposal has more text to it that further describes the proposed law. Read the complete text of Issue 3, or SJR15 of 2025 as it was previously known, on the legislature’s website.
What does a “FOR” vote mean? What does an “AGAINST” vote mean? A FOR vote means you are in favor of changing the Arkansas Constitution regarding economic development, including allowing the legislature to create programs, loans or grants of public money and establish economic development districts; allowing economic development districts to levy taxes, assessments and fees; allowing counties, municipalities, economic development district, and other political subdivisions to issue bonds to finance economic development projects if approved by voters in that jurisdiction; and to repeal any parts of the Arkansas Constitution and supersede court rulings that may be in conflict with this amendment.
An AGAINST vote means you are not in favor of changing the Arkansas Constitution regarding economic development, including allowing the legislature to create programs, loans or grants of public money and establish economic development districts; allowing economic development districts to levy taxes, assessments and fees; allow counties, municipalities, economic development district, and other political subdivisions to issue bonds to finance economic development projects if approved by voters in that jurisdiction; and to repeal any parts of the Arkansas Constitution and supersede court rulings that may be in conflict with this amendment.
Issue 4 – Issuing up to $500 Million in Water, Waste Disposal and Pollution Abatement Bonds
Ballot Title: Arkansas Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement Facilities Financing Act of 2025
Ballot Question: Shall the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission be authorized to issue general obligation bonds under the authority of the Arkansas Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement Facilities Financing Act of 2025, for the financing and refinancing of the development of water, waste disposal, water pollution control, abatement and prevention, drainage, irrigation, flood control, and wetlands and aquatic resources projects to serve the citizens of the State of Arkansas, in total principal amount not to exceed five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000), with no more than one hundred sixty-five million dollars ($165,000,000) in total principal amount of such bonds to be issued to finance and refinance the development of irrigation facilities, in series from time to time in principal amounts not to exceed, without prior approval of the General Assembly, sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) in any two-year period beginning on July 1 of each odd-numbered year, which bonds shall be secured by a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State of Arkansas?”
How did Issue 4 get on the ballot? The Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives in April 2025 approved Act 578 of 2025, which authorizes the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue water, waste disposal and pollution abatement financing bonds, subject to the approval of voters.
The Arkansas Constitution requires that Arkansas voters approve all General Obligation bonds. The bond issue is pledging the full faith and credit of the state to the repayment of the bonded indebtedness. The state’s citizens must vote to assume that debt responsibility.
Who are the sponsors of this proposal? Sen. Bart Hester of Cave Springs and Rep. Howard Beaty Jr. of Crossett
View the Complete Text: On Election Day, the ballot will show only the popular name and ballot title of this issue.
Every proposal has more text to it that further describes the proposed law. Read the complete text of Issue 4.
What does a “FOR” vote mean? What does an “AGAINST” vote mean? A FOR vote means you are in favor of allowing the state to pledge its future faith and credit as the basis for issuing new bonds to finance the development of water, waste disposal and pollution abatement facilities in Arkansas. The amount pledged cannot exceed $500 million or $60 million in any two-year period.
An AGAINST vote means you are not in favor of allowing the state to issue new water, waste disposal and pollution abatement bonds.
Did You Know?
Arkansas is one of 15 states where citizens can propose constitutional amendments, state laws and veto referendums on the ballot for voters to decide. Legislators also have the right to refer up to three constitutional amendments on the statewide ballot.
We provide voters with neutral, research-based information on all statewide ballot proposals. Ultimately our goal is to build Arkansans confidence in their decisions and to increase voter participation in policy making.
Originally posted by the Public Policy Center here.
