Opinion ID: 1631664
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Failure to Inform Voters of the Constitutional Provision Being Changed

Text: The ballot title expressly states that the proposed measure is a constitutional amendment. The ballot title essentially mirrors the text of the proposed amendment except that it does not specifically refer to article 19, section 14. Petitioner argues that this is a material omission because the amendment is not proposing a new provision to the Constitution but changing an existing provision, which amounts to a repeal of the provision. Petitioner asserts that failure to inform voters that the amendment repeals or amends a particular constitutional provision would give voters serious ground for reflection on how to vote. Respondent and Intervenors argue that the proposed amendment amends article 19, section 14 but does not repeal it because the current constitutional ban on lotteries is preserved in subsection (f) of the amendment. Respondent argues that a ballot title is not required to describe the existing law and asserts that the citizens of this State are acutely aware of the fact that lotteries are currently banned. They also argue that since the ballot title expressly states that it is a constitutional amendment, it fairly and accurately apprises the voters that this measure proposes a new, limited exception to the current prohibition on lotteries. We conclude that the proposed amendment does not repeal the existing article 19, section 14 of the Arkansas Constitution. We note at the outset that Petitioner has failed to cite any legal authority in support of his argument that this amendment repeals the existing constitutional provision. He bases his argument solely on the fact that the current language in article 19, section 14 has been completely changed by the amendment. This argument is unconvincing, as the constitutional ban on lotteries, other than state lotteries specifically provided for in the amendment, is expressly preserved under subsection (f) of the proposed amendment. Petitioner argues that the ballot title is insufficient because it omits information concerning how the proposal would impact existing constitutional law regarding lotteries. We have stated that the ballot title is not required to state or summarize the present law, and the fact that it is an amendment is sufficient to inform that change will result. Becker v. Riviere, 270 Ark. 219, 224, 604 S.W.2d 555, 558 (1980). Petitioner then attempts to distinguish the instant case from Becker v. Riviere and argues that, while the ballot title approved by this court in the Becker case did not state existing law, it expressly referred to the particular constitutional provision to be amended. Such a distinction is misplaced. We did not hold in Becker that, while the ballot title is not required to state existing law, it is required to include the particular constitutional provision to be amended. Instead, we stated: By far the most significant change that the proposed amendment would allow is the abrogation of the present 10 per cent limit on interest rates. We think the proposed ballot title sufficiently puts a voter on notice of this change by stating the maximum rate of interest shall not exceed 10 percent except by law enacted by two-thirds vote of the general assembly and that it and the proposed popular name both fairly identify the true purpose of the amendment. We reject petitioners' contention that the ballot title is defective because it does not indicate the present constitutional limit on interest rates is 10 per cent per annum. The ballot title is not required to state the present interest limitation, nor to summarize the Arkansas law on usury.... The fact that it is an amendment is sufficient to inform that change will result. Id., 604 S.W.2d at 557-58. Like the ballot title in Becker , the present ballot title is not required to state the present ban on lotteries, nor to summarize the Arkansas law on lotteries. The fact that it is an amendment is sufficient to inform the voters that change will result. Petitioner stresses that, without referring to the particular constitutional provision being amended, the ballot title fails to inform the voters that the amendment changes an existing provision instead of proposing a new provision, thereby failing to provide voters with a choice between the old law and the new law. However, we cannot see how inclusion of the numerals Article 19, Section 14 will aid the voters in making an informed choice in the voting booth. It is not necessary that a ballot title include every detail of an amendment. May v. Daniels, 359 Ark. at 111, 194 S.W.3d at 780. A ballot title is sufficient if it recites the general purposes of the proposed law and if the ballot title contains enough information to sufficiently advise voters of the true contents of the proposed law. Ward v. Priest, 350 Ark. 345, 359, 86 S.W.3d 884, 891 (2002). Our task is not to require nor draft the perfect proposed popular name and ballot title, but merely to determine if those presented are legally sufficient. Becker v. Riviere, 270 Ark. at 226, 604 S.W.2d at 558. Our most significant rule in determining the sufficiency of the title is that it be given a liberal construction and interpretation in order that it secure the purposes of reserving to the people the right to adopt, reject, approve, or disapprove legislation. May v. Daniels, 359 Ark. at 107, 194 S.W.3d at 777. Thus, Petitioner has not met his burden of proving that the ballot title is misleading or insufficient.