LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas House of Representatives placed an alternate plan into action on Wednesday to allow Girls State access for girls who had been denied admission to the program.
The House Management Committee heard earlier this week that 150 girls had been denied access to Girls State because their applications for admission arrived late at the event sponsor. The event sponsor, the Arkansas American Legion Auxiliary, said they would not consider the late applications, despite the timing being due to school guidance counselors submitting the requests late, not the applicants’ fault.
Lawmakers threaten Girls State Arkansas Capitol chamber access over deadline dispute
The Auxiliary changed the due date for the 2026 Girls State session to the Friday of Spring Break. Counselors were not in school, missed the deadline and admitted to the error.
The Auxiliary did not extend the deadline, despite the Arkansas American Legion, separate from the Auxiliary, extending its deadline for 2026 Boys State applications…