A federal judge who prevented Arkansas from enforcing new limits on the initiative and referendum process heard testimony Tuesday as he weighs whether to permanently block the restrictions.
The case stems from a lawsuit filed against Secretary of State Cole Jester in 2025 by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas. Two ballot question committees, Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids, were later allowed to intervene in the case.
The groups, who collected signatures to qualify their three proposed constitutional amendments for the November ballot, argue the laws make it nearly impossible for Arkansans to propose their own constitutional amendments and laws and place them before voters. Supporters of the laws have said they’re needed to protect the process…