reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 7 - NOMINATIONS AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS (§§ 7-7-101 — 7-7-501) › Subchapter 3 - CONDUCT OF PRIMARY (§§ 7-7-301 — 7-7-313) › Section 7-7-302 - Selection of primary election officials

The election officials of primary elections shall be selected in the same manner as for general elections and shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for general elections.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 1, §§ 4, 12; 1971, No. 261, § 6; 1971, No. 451, § 1; 1972 (Ex. Sess.), No. 41, § 1; 1983, No. 395, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 3-104, 3-112; Acts 1995, No. 901, § 6; 1997, No. 886, § 6.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 7 - NOMINATIONS AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS (§§ 7-7-101 — 7-7-501) › Subchapter 3 - CONDUCT OF PRIMARY (§§ 7-7-301 — 7-7-313) › Section 7-7-303 - Precincts - Boundaries

The election precincts in all political party primary elections shall be the same as established by the county board of election commissioners for general elections.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 1, § 11; 1971, No. 261, § 5; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-111; Acts 1989, No. 912, § 4; 1995, No. 901, § 7; 2009, No. 959, § 38.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 7 - NOMINATIONS AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS (§§ 7-7-101 — 7-7-501) › Subchapter 3 - CONDUCT OF PRIMARY (§§ 7-7-301 — 7-7-313) › Section 7-7-306 - Partisan and nonpartisan general election ballots

(a)
At each party primary and nonpartisan general election, each county board of election commissioners shall furnish a separate ballot for each political party containing:
(1)
The name of each person seeking nomination as a candidate of that political party;
(2)
The name of each candidate for the general election to a nonpartisan office under §
7-10-101
[repealed]; and
(3)
All measures and questions, if any, to be decided by the voters.
(b)
The county board of election commissioners shall also furnish a separate ballot containing the names of all qualified candidates for the general election to nonpartisan offices and all measures, if any, to be decided by the voters.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1126,§ 14, eff. 8/16/2013.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1110,§ 8, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 1, § 15; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-115; Acts 1995, No. 901, § 10; 2005, No. 67, § 18; 2009, No. 959, § 39.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 7 - NOMINATIONS AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS (§§ 7-7-101 — 7-7-501) › Subchapter 3 - CONDUCT OF PRIMARY (§§ 7-7-301 — 7-7-313) › Section 7-7-307 - Additional voter qualifications

(a)
Each political party may establish by party rules additional qualifications to those established by §
7-5-201
for eligibility to vote in primary elections of the party.
(b)
However, any additional qualifications established by a political party shall comply with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 1, § 15; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-115; Acts 1995, No. 928, § 2; 1995, No. 936, § 2.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 7 - NOMINATIONS AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS (§§ 7-7-101 — 7-7-501) › Subchapter 3 - CONDUCT OF PRIMARY (§§ 7-7-301 — 7-7-313) › Section 7-7-308 - Voting procedure and requirements

(a)
The procedure for voting in primary elections is the same as for general elections.
(b)
At the same time that the voter identifies himself or herself and the party primary or other election in which he or she intends to vote, the election official shall mark next to the voter's name on the precinct voter registration list the party primary or other election in which the voter chooses to vote.
Acts 1973, No. 157, § 4; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-126; Acts 1993, No. 487, § 3; 1995, No. 901, § 11; 1995, No. 946, § 10; 1995, No. 963, § 10; 1997, No. 886, § 7; 2005, No. 67, § 19; 2007, No. 1020, § 17; 2009, No. 959, § 40.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 7 - NOMINATIONS AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS (§§ 7-7-101 — 7-7-501) › Subchapter 3 - CONDUCT OF PRIMARY (§§ 7-7-301 — 7-7-313) › Section 7-7-309 - Canvass and certification of returns

The county board of election commissioners shall canvass the returns and examine the ballots when demanded. It may hear testimony, if offered, of fraudulent practices and illegal votes, may cast out illegal votes and fraudulent returns, may find the true and legal vote cast for each candidate, and shall certify the result not sooner than forty-eight (48) hours and not later than ten (10) days after the primary.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 1, § 16; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-116; Acts 1995, No. 901, § 12; 1997, No. 886, § 8; 2001, No. 1475, § 2; 2007, No. 1020, § 18.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 7 - NOMINATIONS AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS (§§ 7-7-101 — 7-7-501) › Subchapter 3 - CONDUCT OF PRIMARY (§§ 7-7-301 — 7-7-313) › Section 7-7-313 - Unopposed races

If there is a primary election in which only one (1) candidate has filed for the position by a filing deadline and there are no other ballot issues to be submitted for consideration, the county board of election commissioners may declare and certify the candidate as elected in the same manner as if the candidate had been voted upon at the election.
Amended by Act 2017, No. 730,§ 5, eff. 8/1/2017.
Acts 2009, No. 812, § 1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 7 - NOMINATIONS AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS (§§ 7-7-101 — 7-7-501) › Subchapter 4 - CERTIFICATION OF NOMINATIONS (§§ 7-7-401 — 7-7-403) › Section 7-7-401 - Certification of nominations

(a)
The county board of election commissioners shall certify the nomination of all county, township, and municipal offices to the county committee of the political party, state committee of the political party, and county clerk. It shall further certify the vote of all candidates for United States, state, and district office to the state committee and the Secretary of State.
(b)
The Secretary of State shall receive the returns from the county board of election commissioners and canvass and certify the result thereof as provided by law. When ordered by a circuit court as provided by law, the county board or its officers shall annul the certifications made and make certifications in accordance with the judgment of the circuit court.
(c)
The nominations of any and all political parties for candidates chosen at a regular or special primary election held by the political party shall be certified by the county board of election commissioners.
(d)
(1)
Nominees of political parties chosen by a convention of delegates, in those circumstances in which nominations by political party conventions are authorized by law, shall be certified by the chair and secretary of the convention of delegates held by the political party.
(2)
All certificates of nomination made by the chair and secretary of conventions or of county boards of election commissioners of primary elections shall be acknowledged before an officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments.
(e)
(1)
Nomination as a nonpartisan candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge of the Court of Appeals, circuit judge, or district judge shall be deemed certified upon the candidate's filing for office when a filing fee is paid or upon determination by the appropriate officer that sufficient signatures were obtained when the candidate seeks alternative ballot access.
(2)
For any other office, nomination as an independent candidate without political party affiliation for election to any office shall be certified by petition of electors in the manner provided in §
7-7-103
.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 1, §§ 17, 20; 1971, No. 261, § 8; 1975, No. 601, §§ 3, 5; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 3-117, 3-120; Acts 1995, No. 901, § 16; 1997, No. 886, § 11; 2001, No. 1789, § 7.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 7 - NOMINATIONS AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS (§§ 7-7-101 — 7-7-501) › Subchapter 4 - CERTIFICATION OF NOMINATIONS (§§ 7-7-401 — 7-7-403) › Section 7-7-402 - Filing certificates of nomination

(a)
(1)
All certified lists of nominees as candidates for presidential electors and members of the United States Congress and for state, judicial, and district officers, either by convention, primary election, or electors, shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(2)
All certified lists of nominees for county, township, and municipal offices shall be filed with the county board of election commissioners and the county clerk of the county in which they are to be voted for no later than ninety (90) days before the general election.
(b)
Certified lists of nomination shall be filed within the time provided in §
7-7-203
.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 649,§ 4, eff. 7/24/2019.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 1, § 21; 1975, No. 601, § 4; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-121; Acts 1999, No. 656, § 1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 8 - FEDERAL ELECTIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-401) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-104) › Section 7-8-101 - Primaries - General law governs

All primaries, preferential and general, for the selection of nominees for federal offices, including those of the United States Senators and United States Representatives, shall be held on the same date and in the same manner as the preferential and general primaries for state, district, county, and township offices and shall be governed by the same procedure prescribed by this act.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 3, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-301; Acts 2007, No. 987, § 3; 2009, No. 26, § 3; 2009, No. 375, § 4.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 8 - FEDERAL ELECTIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-401) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-104) › Section 7-8-102 - Filling Senate vacancies

(a)
Vacancies in the office of United States Senator shall be filled by appointment by the Governor.
(b)
(1)
The appointee under subsection (a) of this section shall serve during the entire unexpired Senate term if the office would in regular course be filled at the next general election if no vacancy had occurred.
(2)
(A)
If the office would not in regular course be filled at the next general election, the remaining portion of the vacated term shall be filled as follows:
(i)
At the next general election if the vacancy occurs four (4) months or more before the next general election; or
(ii)
At the second general election after the vacancy occurs if the vacancy occurs less than four (4) months before the next general election.
(B)
The person so elected shall:
(i)
Take office on the first day of January following his or her election; and
(ii)
Serve the remaining portion of the vacated term.
Amended by Act 2017, No. 310,§ 2, eff. 3/1/2017.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 3, § 2; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-302; Acts 2005, No. 2145, § 14; 2007, No. 1049, § 29; 2009, No. 1480, § 45.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 8 - FEDERAL ELECTIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-401) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-104) › Section 7-8-104 - Filling vacancies in the House of Representatives

When any vacancy shall happen in the office of a member of the United States House of Representatives from this state by death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the Governor, by proclamation, to order the sheriffs of the several counties to order an election to be held on a certain day to be named in the proclamation to fill the vacancy. The election shall be conducted in the same manner, and returns thereof made, as prescribed in this title for general elections.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 3, § 4; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-304; Acts 1987, No. 248, § 3.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 8 - FEDERAL ELECTIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-401) › Subchapter 2 - SELECTION OF DELEGATES FOR NATIONAL CONVENTION (§§ 7-8-201 — 7-8-205) › Section 7-8-201 - Preferential elections required - Apportionment of delegates

Each political party in the state desiring to select delegates to attend a quadrennial national nominating convention of the party to select a nominee for the office of President of the United States shall hold a preferential primary election in the state, and the delegates to the national party convention shall be apportioned to the presidential candidates whose names were on the ballot at the preferential primary or to "uncommitted" in the proportion that the votes cast for each candidate or for "uncommitted" bear to the total votes cast at the election, rounded to the closest whole number.
Acts 1989, No. 700, § 2; 1997, No. 450, § 1; 2005, No. 501, § 1; 2007, No. 987, § 4; 2009, No. 26, § 4; 2009, No. 375, § 5.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 8 - FEDERAL ELECTIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-401) › Subchapter 2 - SELECTION OF DELEGATES FOR NATIONAL CONVENTION (§§ 7-8-201 — 7-8-205) › Section 7-8-204 - Rules for selection of delegates and alternates

Each political party holding a preferential primary election in the state shall adopt appropriate rules for the selection of delegates and alternate delegates to the quadrennial national nominating convention of the party and to otherwise carry out the intent and purposes of this subchapter.
Acts 1989, No. 700, § 2; 1997, No. 450, § 4; 2005, No. 501, § 2; 2009, No. 26, § 5; 2009, No. 375, § 6.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 8 - FEDERAL ELECTIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-401) › Subchapter 3 - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS (§§ 7-8-301 — 7-8-307) › Section 7-8-301 - Date of election

(a)
There shall be elected by general ticket in the manner and with the effect provided in this subchapter, on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November preceding the expiration of the term of office of each President of the United States, as many electors of President of the United States and Vice President of the United States as this state may be entitled to elect.
(b)
If the United States Congress should hereafter fix a different day for the election, then the election for electors shall be held on the day as shall be named by act of the United States Congress.
(c)
The election shall be conducted and returns thereof made as provided in §
7-8-302
.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 2, § 6; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-206.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 8 - FEDERAL ELECTIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-401) › Subchapter 3 - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS (§§ 7-8-301 — 7-8-307) › Section 7-8-303 - Right of nominee to be candidate for other office

(a)
The appearance on the general election ballot of the name of a party nominee for the office of President of the United States or Vice President of the United States in lieu of the names of the candidates for electors for the offices shall not limit or restrict the party nominee so named from being a candidate in his or her own right for any office to be filled at the general election.
(b)
A person may be a candidate for President of the United States or Vice President of the United States and for the United States Senate or United States House of Representatives in the same primary and general election.
Amended by Act 2015, No. 742,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015.
Acts 1972 (Ex. Sess.), No. 38, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-207.1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 8 - FEDERAL ELECTIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-401) › Subchapter 3 - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS (§§ 7-8-301 — 7-8-307) › Section 7-8-304 - Delivery and canvass of returns - Tie vote

(a)
The county clerks of the several counties shall make, within eight (8) days next after holding the election as provided in §
7-8-302
, three (3) copies of the abstract of the votes cast for electors by each political party or group as indicated by the voter as provided in §
7-8-302
by a cross in the square to the right of the bracket as specified in §
7-8-302
and transmit by mail one (1) of the copies to the Governor, transmit another to the office of the Secretary of State, and retain the third in his or her office to be sent for by the Governor in case both the others should be mislaid.
(b)
Within twenty (20) days after the holding of the election, and sooner if all the returns are received by either the Governor or by the Secretary of State, the constitutional officers of this state, or any two (2) of them, shall proceed, in the presence of the Governor, to open and canvass the election returns and to declare which set of candidates for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States received the highest number of votes so cast, and the candidates' party's electors shall be taken and deemed to be elected as electors of President and Vice President.
(c)
Should two (2) or more sets of candidates for President and Vice President be returned with an equal and the highest vote, the Secretary of State shall cause a notice to be published, which notice shall name some day and place not less than five (5) days from the time of the publication of the notice upon which the constitutional officers of this state will decide by lot which of the sets of candidates for President and Vice President so equal and highest shall be declared to be highest. Upon the day and at the place so appointed in the notice, the constitutional officers shall so decide by lot and declare which is deemed highest of the sets of candidates for President and Vice President so equal and highest, thereby determining only that the electors chosen as provided in this subchapter by the candidates' party or group are thereby elected by general ticket to be the electors.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 2, § 8; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-208.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 8 - FEDERAL ELECTIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-401) › Subchapter 3 - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS (§§ 7-8-301 — 7-8-307) › Section 7-8-305 - Publication of results - Certification of election

Within five (5) days after the votes shall have been canvassed and the results declared or the result declared by lot as provided in §
7-8-304
, the Governor shall:
(1)
Cause the result of the election to be published;
(2)
Proclaim the persons composing the list so elected to be the electors of President of the United States and Vice President of the United States by mailing the electors a triplicate certificate of their appointment under the Seal of the State of Arkansas; and
(3)
Transmit under the Seal of the State of Arkansas to the United States Secretary of State the certificate of the election of the electors as required by the laws of the United States Congress.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1126,§ 15, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 2, § 9; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-209.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 8 - FEDERAL ELECTIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-401) › Subchapter 3 - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS (§§ 7-8-301 — 7-8-307) › Section 7-8-306 - Voting by electors - Expenses

(a)
The electors, elected as provided in this subchapter, shall meet at the office of the Secretary of State, in a room to be designated by him or her in the State Capitol Building, at the time appointed by the laws of the United States at the hour of 10:00 a.m. of that day, and give their votes for President of the United States and for Vice President of the United States, in the manner provided in this subchapter, and perform such duties as are or may be required by law.
(b)
(1)
(A)
Each elector shall serve without pay, but he or she is eligible for reimbursement by the Secretary of State for reasonable and necessary expenses to attend a meeting under subsection (a) of this section.
(B)
An elector who is reimbursed for expenses under subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section shall be reimbursed at the same rate prescribed for a state employee.
(2)
Any person appointed by the electors assembled to fill a vacancy shall also receive the compensation provided for electors appointed.
Amended by Act 2017, No. 578,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2017.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 2, § 10; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-210.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 8 - FEDERAL ELECTIONS (§§ 7-8-101 — 7-8-401) › Subchapter 3 - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS (§§ 7-8-301 — 7-8-307) › Section 7-8-307 - Vacancy - Appointment - Exception

In case any person duly elected an elector of President of the United States and Vice President of the United States shall fail to attend at the United States Capitol on the day on which his or her vote is required to be given, it shall be the duty of the electors of President and Vice President attending at the time and place to appoint persons to fill the vacancies. Should the person or persons chosen pursuant to this subchapter arrive at the place aforesaid before the votes for President and Vice President are actually given, the person or persons appointed to fill the vacancy shall not act as an elector of President and Vice President.
Acts 1969, No. 465, Art. 2, § 11; A.S.A. 1947, § 3-211.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-101 - Definitions

As used in this subchapter:
(1)
"Act" means an act having general application throughout the state, whether originating in the General Assembly or proposed by the people;
(2)
"Amendment" means an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution that is proposed by the people;
(3)
"Canvasser" means a person who circulates an initiative or referendum petition or a part or parts of an initiative or referendum petition to obtain the signatures of petitioners thereto;
(4)
"Election" means a regular general election at which state and county officers are elected for regular terms;
(5)
"Measure" means an amendment, an act, or an ordinance;
(6)
"Ordinance" means an ordinance of a municipality or county, whether originating in the legislative body of the municipality or county or proposed by the people;
(7)
"Petition part" means a petition signature sheet containing the information required under §
7-9-104
or §
7-9-105
;
(8)
"Petitioner" means a person who signs an initiative or referendum petition ordering a vote on a measure;
(9)
"Registered voter" means a person who is registered at the time of signing the petition pursuant to Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51; and
(10)
"Sponsor" means a person who arranges for the circulation of an initiative or referendum petition or who files an initiative or referendum petition with the official charged with verifying the signatures.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1413,§ 2, eff. 4/22/2013.
Acts 1943, No. 195, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-201; Acts 1997, No. 646, § 1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-102 - Duties of election officers - Penalty for failure to perform

(a)
(1)
The duties imposed by this act upon members of the State Board of Election Commissioners and county boards of election commissioners, election officials, and all other officers expressly named in this act are declared to be mandatory.
(2)
These duties shall be performed in good faith within the time and in the manner provided.
(b)
(1)
If any member of any board, any election official, or any other officer so charged with the duty shall knowingly and willfully fail or refuse to perform his or her duty or shall knowingly and willfully commit a fraud in evading the performance of his or her duty, then he or she shall be guilty of a violation.
(2)
Upon conviction, he or she shall be fined any sum not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and also shall be removed from office.
Acts 1943, No. 195, § 12; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-223; Acts 1997, No. 646, § 2; 2005, No. 1994, § 74.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-106 - Required attachments to petitions

(a)
To every petition for the initiative shall be attached a full and correct copy of the title and the measure proposed.
(b)
To every petition for the referendum shall be attached a full and correct copy of the measure on which the referendum is ordered.
Acts 1911 (Ex. Sess.), No. 2, § 7; C. & M. Dig., § 9768; Pope's Dig., § 13288; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-205.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-107 - Filing of original draft before circulation

(a)
Before any initiative petition or referendum petition ordering a vote upon any amendment or act shall be circulated for obtaining signatures of petitioners, the sponsors shall submit the original draft with the Attorney General.
(b)
The original draft shall include:
(1)
The full text of the proposed measure;
(2)
A ballot title for the proposed measure; and
(3)
A popular name for the proposed measure.
(c)
The Attorney General shall return to the sponsor a file-marked copy of the original draft that shall serve as evidence that the original draft was filed in compliance with this section.
(d)
(1)
Within ten (10) business days, the Attorney General shall approve and certify or shall substitute and certify a more suitable and correct ballot title and popular name for each amendment or act.
(2)
The ballot title so submitted or supplied by the Attorney General shall briefly and concisely state the purpose of the proposed measure.
(e)
If, as a result of his or her review of the ballot title and popular name of a proposed initiated act or a proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution, the Attorney General determines that the ballot title or the nature of the issue, is presented in such manner that the ballot title would be misleading or designed in such manner that a vote "FOR" the issue would be a vote against the matter or viewpoint that the voter believes himself or herself casting a vote for, or, conversely, that a vote "AGAINST" the issue would be a vote for a viewpoint that the voter is against, the Attorney General may reject the entire ballot title, popular name, and petition and state his or her reasons therefor and instruct the petitioners to redesign the proposed measure and the ballot title and popular name in a manner that would not be misleading.
(f)
If the Attorney General refuses to act or if the sponsors feel aggrieved at the Attorney General's acts in such premises, the sponsors may, by petition, apply to the Supreme Court for proper relief.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 194,§ 2, eff. 3/6/2023.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 376,§ 6, eff. 3/8/2019.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1413,§ 9, eff. 4/22/2013.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1413,§ 8, eff. 4/22/2013.
Acts 1943, No. 195, § 4; 1977, No. 208, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-208; Acts 1989, No. 280, § 3; 1989, No. 912, § 6.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-108 - Procedure for circulation of petition

(a)
Each initiative or referendum petition ordering a vote upon a measure having general application throughout the state shall be prepared and circulated in fifteen (15) or more parts or counterparts, and each shall be an exact copy or counterpart of all other such parts upon which signatures of petitioners are to be solicited. When a sufficient number of parts are signed by a requisite number of qualified electors and are filed and duly certified by the Secretary of State, they shall be treated and considered as one (1) petition.
(b)
Each part of a petition shall have attached thereto the affidavit of the canvasser to the effect that the canvasser's current residence address appearing on the verification is correct, that all signatures appearing on the petition part were made in the presence of the affiant, and that to the best of the affiant's knowledge and belief each signature is genuine and each person signing is a registered voter.
(c)
Preceding every petition, there shall be set out in boldface type, over the signature of the Attorney General, any instructions to canvassers and signers as may appear proper and beneficial informing them of the privileges granted by the Arkansas Constitution and of the penalties imposed for violations of this act. The instructions on penalties shall be in larger type than the other instructions.
(d)
No part of any initiative or referendum petition shall contain signatures of petitioners from more than one (1) county.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1413,§ 10, eff. 4/22/2013.
Acts 1943, No. 195, § 3; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-206; Acts 1991, No. 719, § 2.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-110 - Designation of number and popular name

(a)
The popular name of each state measure shall be the popular name provided by the sponsor under §
7-9-107
, and the number of the measure on the ballot shall be designated as provided in §
7-9-116
.
(b)
In all legal notices and publications affecting a measure, the measure shall be identified by both the designated number and popular name.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 376,§ 8, eff. 3/8/2019.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1413,§ 12, eff. 4/22/2013.
Acts 1933, No. 71, §§ 1, 2; Pope's Dig., §§ 1772, 1773; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 2-209, 2-214; Acts 1993, No. 512, § 9; 2009, No. 281, § 1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-112 - Right of review

(a)
If the Secretary of State determines that the signatures submitted on a statewide initiative petition or statewide referendum petition are insufficient, the following persons may challenge that determination by petitioning the Supreme Court to determine if the signatures are sufficient:
(1)
The sponsor of the statewide initiative petition or statewide referendum petition; or
(2)
A registered voter.
(b)
The Supreme Court shall act expeditiously to review the sufficiency of the signatures in a timely manner and shall make every effort to reach a decision in advance of the election at which the proposed measure would be considered.
(c)
(1)
If the Supreme Court decides that the signatures submitted on a statewide initiative petition or statewide referendum petition are sufficient, the Supreme Court shall order the Secretary of State to certify the sufficiency for placing the proposed measure on the election ballot if the ballot title and popular name are sufficient.
(2)
On a proper showing that the signatures are not sufficient, the Supreme Court may enjoin the Secretary of State from certifying the proposed measure for inclusion on the ballot for the election at which the proposed measure would be considered or, in the event that the proposed measure will appear on the election ballot, from canvassing and certifying the vote on the proposed measure.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 194,§ 4, eff. 3/6/2023.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 376,§ 10, eff. 3/8/2019.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1413,§ 16, eff. 4/22/2013.
Acts 1943, No. 195, § 6; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-211.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-113 - Publication of notice

(a)
(1)
The Secretary of State shall be charged with the duty of letting contracts for publishing notices as authorized in this section.
(2)
(A)
For measures proposed by petition, the petition sponsor shall reimburse the cost of publication to the Secretary of State within thirty (30) calendar days of notification of the final costs for publication.
(B)
The Secretary of State shall provide the sponsor of the measure a complete cost breakdown including the:
(i)
Number of locations where the measure was published;
(ii)
Number of times the measure was published;
(iii)
Dates the measure was published; and
(iv)
Costs for publishing the measure.
(C)
(i)
The reimbursement shall be placed by the Secretary of State into the Mandatory Publication Reimbursement Fund.
(ii)
Funds shall be transferred from time to time from the Mandatory Publication Reimbursement Fund to the State Central Services Fund as refunds for costs associated with mandatory publications.
(b)
(1)
Before the election at which any proposed or referred measure is to be voted upon by the people, notice shall be published in two (2) weekly issues of some newspaper in each county as is provided by law.
(2)
(A)
Publication of the notice for amendments proposed by the General Assembly shall commence six (6) months before the election.
(B)
Publication of the notice for all other measures shall commence eight (8) weeks before the election.
(c)
(1)
For amendments proposed by the General Assembly, at least one (1) notice shall:
(A)
Contain the number, the popular name, the ballot title, and a complete text of the amendment to be submitted; and
(B)
Be published in a camera-ready format in a type no smaller than 10-point type.
(2)
For all other proposed measures or amendments, at least one (1) notice shall:
(A)
Contain the number, the popular name, and the ballot title of the measure to be submitted;
(B)
Reference a website where the full text of the measure is published; and
(C)
Be published in a camera-ready format in a type no smaller than 10-point type.
(d)
It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State, in connection with notice of the proposed measure, to give notice in the same newspapers that each elector on depositing his or her ballot at the election shall vote for or against the measure.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 898,§ 13, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2017, No. 982,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2017.
Acts 1879, No. 80, § 6, p. 128; C. & M. Dig., § 1473; Pope's Dig., § 1771; Acts 1943, No. 195, § 7; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 2-212, 2-213; Acts 1991, No. 798, § 1; 1991, No. 1094, § 2; 1991, No. 1153, § 2; 1997, No. 646, § 8.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-114 - Abstract of proposed measure

(a)
The Attorney General shall prepare a concise abstract of the contents of each statewide initiative and referendum measure proposed under Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 7, and he or she shall transmit it to the Secretary of State not less than twenty (20) days before the election.
(b)
Not less than eighteen (18) days before the election, the Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of the abstract to the county boards of election commissioners, who shall cause copies to be printed and posted conspicuously at all polling places in the county for the information of the voters.
(c)
The cost of printing copies of the abstracts shall be borne by the counties as a regular expense of the election.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1126,§ 16, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1959, No. 47, §§ 1-3; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 2-225 -- 2-227.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-115 - Furnishing ballot title and popular name to election commissioners

Not less than eighteen (18) days before the election, the Secretary of State shall furnish the State Board of Election Commissioners and county boards of election commissioners a certified copy of the ballot title and popular name for each proposed measure and each referred act to be voted upon at the ensuing election.
Acts 1943, No. 195, §§ 8, 9; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 2-216, 2-217; Acts 1997, No. 646, § 9.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-116 - Captions and designations of numbered issues

(a)
The Secretary of State shall fix and declare the number of the issue by which state measures shall be designated on the ballot.
(b)
Each state measure shall be identified with the issue number designated by the Secretary of State.
(c)
Measures proposed by initiative petition shall be captioned, "CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (OR ACT) PROPOSED BY PETITION OF THE PEOPLE".
(d)
Measures referred to a vote by petition shall be captioned, "MEASURE REFERRED BY ORDER OF THE PEOPLE".
(e)
Measures referred to a vote by the General Assembly shall be captioned, "CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (OR OTHER MEASURE) REFERRED TO THE PEOPLE BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY".
Acts 1943, No. 195, § 8; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-216; Acts 2009, No. 281, § 2.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-118 - Failure to place proposal on ballot - Manner of voting

If any election board shall fail or refuse to submit any proposal after its sufficiency has been duly certified, the qualified electors of the county may vote for or against the measure by writing or stamping on their ballot the proposed ballot title, followed by the word "FOR" or "AGAINST". All votes so cast, if otherwise legal, shall be canvassed, counted, and certified.
Acts 1943, No. 195, § 9; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-217.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-119 - Counting, canvass, and return of votes - Proclamation of result - Effective date

(a)
The vote on each measure shall be counted, tabulated, and returned by the proper precinct election officials to the county board of election commissioners in each county at the time and in the manner the vote for candidates for state and county officers is tabulated, canvassed, and returned.
(b)
An abstract of all votes cast on any measure shall be certified by the county board of election commissioners and delivered or postmarked to the Secretary of State no earlier than forty-eight (48) hours and no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the election is held.
(c)
It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to canvass the returns on each measure not later than ten (10) days thereafter and to certify the result to the Governor and to the State Board of Election Commissioners.
(d)
(1)
(A)
The Governor shall thereupon issue a proclamation showing the total number of votes cast and the number cast for and the number cast against each measure and shall declare the measure adopted or rejected, as the facts appear.
(B)
If the Governor declares any measure adopted, it shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after the election unless otherwise provided in the measure.
(2)
However, amendments to the Arkansas Constitution shall also be declared adopted or rejected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as is provided by the Arkansas Constitution.
Acts 1943, No. 195, § 10; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-218; Acts 1997, No. 646, § 10; 2005, No. 1677, § 6.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-120 - Printing of approved measures with general laws - Certification of city ordinances

(a)
The Secretary of State shall cause every measure approved by the people to be printed with the general laws enacted by the next ensuing session of the General Assembly with the date of the Governor's proclamation declaring the same to have been approved by the people.
(b)
However, city ordinances approved by the people shall only be certified by the Secretary of State to the city clerk or recorder of the municipality for which the ordinance has been approved, who shall immediately record the same as he or she is required by law to record other ordinances of the municipality.
Acts 1911 (Ex. Sess.), No. 2, § 7; C. & M. Dig., § 9768; Pope's Dig., § 13288; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-205.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-121 - Contest of returns and certification

(a)
The right to contest the returns and certification of the votes cast upon any measure is expressly conferred upon any twenty-five (25) qualified electors of the state.
(b)
Any contest may be brought in the Pulaski County Circuit Court and shall be conducted under any rules and regulations as may be made and promulgated by the Supreme Court. However, the complaint shall be filed within sixty (60) days after the certification of the vote thereon, and the contestants shall not be required to make bond for the costs.
Acts 1943, No. 195, § 11; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-222; Acts 2005, No. 67, § 25.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-122 - Adoption of conflicting measures

If two (2) or more conflicting measures shall be approved by a majority of the votes severally cast for and against the measures at the same election, the measure receiving the greatest number of affirmative votes shall become law.
Acts 1911 (Ex. Sess.), No. 2, § 14; C. & M. Dig., § 9776; Pope's Dig., § 13295; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-221; Acts 1993, No. 512, § 10.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-123 - Preservation of records

All petitions, notices, certificates, or other documentary evidence of procedural steps taken in submitting any measure shall be filed and preserved. Petitions with signatures shall be retained for two (2) years and thereafter destroyed. The measure and the certificates relating thereto shall be recorded in a permanent record and duly attested by the Secretary of State.
Acts 1943, No. 195, § 13; A.S.A. 1947, § 2-224; Acts 1997, No. 897, § 1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-124 - Voter registration signature imaging system - Creation of fund

(a)
There is hereby established in the office of the Secretary of State a voter registration signature imaging system, and the Secretary of State is authorized to acquire and maintain the necessary equipment and facilities to accommodate the system.
(b)
The Division of Information Systems shall cooperate with and assist the Secretary of State in determining the computer equipment and software needed in the office of the Secretary of State for the voter registration signature imaging system.
(c)
There is hereby created on the books of the Treasurer of State, the Auditor of State, and the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State a fund to be known as the "Voter Registration Signature Imaging System Fund".
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 6060, eff. 7/1/2019.
Acts 1993, No. 1285, §§ 1-3; 1997, No. 1104, § 1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-125 - Definition - Prohibition of profit - Penalties - Freedom of information

(a)
As used in this section, "property" means both real and personal property and includes without limitation both tangible and intangible property.
(b)
(1)
No person who is a sponsor of an initiative petition, referendum petition, or constitutional amendment which proposes the sale of property owned by a municipality or county shall receive anything of value as a result of the passage of the act sponsored by the person.
(2)
A sponsor of an initiative petition, referendum petition, or constitutional amendment which proposes the sale of property owned by a municipality or county shall file, within sixty (60) calendar days of the election at which the initiative, referendum, or constitutional amendment has been voted upon, with the Secretary of State an accounting of all expenditures by the sponsor in connection with the petition or amendment.
(3)
No person shall directly or indirectly benefit from sponsorship of a petition or amendment which proposes the sale of property owned by a municipality or county by contracting sponsorship activities to any business enterprise in which the sponsor has a substantial interest.
(4)
Nothing in this act shall prohibit the circulation of petitions or compensation to persons who circulate the petitions.
(c)
(1)
(A)
If a sponsor violates any provision of subsection (b) of this section, the sponsor shall be fined an amount equal to twice the amount of the person's personal gain.
(B)
The fine shall be paid to the state, municipality, or county in which the petition or amendment was voted upon.
(2)
This section shall be enforced by the:
(A)
City attorney of the municipality;
(B)
Prosecuting attorney of the county; or
(C)
Attorney General of this state.
(d)
The expense reports filed by the sponsor of the petition shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, §
25-19-101
et seq.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1413,§ 17, eff. 4/22/2013.
Acts 2001, No. 1100, §§ 1-3.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 1 - PETITION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-127) › Section 7-9-127 - Interference with initiative petitions and proposed measures

(a)
Upon conviction, a person commits a Class A misdemeanor if the person knowingly:
(1)
Changes a signature other than his or her own signature on a petition;
(2)
Erases or otherwise removes a signature other than his or her signature on a petition;
(3)
Intentionally destroys or discards a signature other than his or her own signature on a petition;
(4)
Pays a person any form of compensation in exchange for not signing a petition as a petitioner;
(5)
Accepts or pays money or anything of value for the purpose of not obtaining signatures on a petition when the person is included on the sponsor's list filed with the Secretary of State under §
7-9-601
;
(6)
Misrepresents the purpose and effect of the petition or the measure affected for the purpose of causing a person to not sign a petition when acting as a canvasser; or
(7)
Pays a person any form of compensation in exchange for destroying a signature on a petition.
(b)
A person may be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for each violation under subsection (a) of this section.
(c)
(1)
A ballot question committee organized to support a ballot initiative may destroy or discard signatures or petitions collected as a result of its efforts if:
(A)
The reason for the destruction or discard is documented; or
(B)
The petition did not obtain enough signatures to qualify to appear on the ballot.
(2)
Actions taken by a ballot question committee under subdivision (c)(1) of this section shall not be considered a violation of this section.
Added by Act 2023, No. 766,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023.