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With election season fast approaching, voters will soon be asked to weigh in on several local, statewide, and national races when they head to the polls on Nov. 8.
They’ll also be casting votes on seven Arkansas ballot issues this year, and the Public Policy Center at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has created a handy guide to help voters make a more informed choice on those issues when filling out their ballots.
The self-described “unbiased, research-based guide” examines everything from how an issue gets on the ballot, to the ballot titles, what a for/against vote means for each of the issues to be considered in Arkansas this year, as well as what supporters and opposition to issue are saying about the proposals.
The guide also includes a worksheet voters can use to make their own notes on each of the seven issues.
Voters will consider issues dealing with the terms, election, and eligibility of elected officials; an amendment to allow the governor to retain his or her powers and duties when absent from the state; an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning job creation, job expansion, and economic development; an amendment to limit attorney contingency fees and non-economic damages in medical lawsuits; An amendment to allow three casinos to operate in Arkansas; and two amendments concerning the use of medical marijuana in the state.
A list of each of the seven issues that voters will consider this fall is below, and you can download the voter guide in its entirety at uaex.edu/ballot.
For more information about the guide, contact the Public Policy Center at 501-671-2299, or email them at [email protected].
2016 Arkansas Ballot Issues
Issue number 1
Proposing an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning the terms, election, and eligibility of elected officials.
Issue number 2
A constitutional amendment to allow the governor to retain his or her powers and duties when absent from the state.
Issue number 3
An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning job creation, job expansion, and economic development.
Issue number 4
An amendment to limit attorney contingency fees and non-economic damages in medical lawsuits.
Issue number 5
An amendment to allow three casinos to operate in Arkansas, one each in the following counties: Boone County, operated by Arkansas Gaming and Resorts, LLC; Miller County, operated by Miller County Gaming, LLC; and Washington County, operated by Washington County Gaming, LLC.
Issue number 6
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016.
Issue number 7
The Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act.
