LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin rejected an amendment proposal by the League of Women Voters (LWV) for the third time on May 5, this time citing a new law that bans ballot titles with a reading level above the eighth grade.
LWV first submitted their amendment to “protect and restore the initiative and referendum process,” on March 11, aiming to prevent “legislative interference” in a variety of ways; these include prohibiting the general assembly from changing a voter-approved amendment, as well as demanding the AG approve a ballot or provide alternatives within a strict timeframe, to “prevent last-minute legal disputes.”
“For years, Arkansas voters have used direct democracy to shape state policy. However, delays, legal challenges, and legislative amendments to voter-approved measures have created barriers to the process,” said LWV in their amendment…