A federal judge in Arkansas has struck down several state laws that imposed extra restrictions on citizen efforts to gather signatures for ballot initiatives. The decision, handed down by U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks, found that the laws violated the constitutional free speech rights of voters.
Background
The lawsuit was filed by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas and other plaintiffs, who argued that the laws made it harder for citizens to make laws or amend the state constitution through ballot initiatives. The laws, imposed by Arkansas’ GOP-controlled state government, required petition signers to show photo ID and for canvassers to verify a petition signer’s identity.
Judge Brooks ruled that requiring a petition signer to possess and present a photo ID before signing a petition plainly violates free speech laws. He also noted that the Arkansas secretary of state’s office reviews every signature to confirm that the petition signer is a registered voter.
Reaction
One of the plaintiffs, Protect AR Rights, called the decision an ‘important victory for the people of Arkansas and their constitutional right to direct democracy.’ The defendant, Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester, a Republican, said in a statement that his office plans to appeal the decision and ‘will fight tirelessly for common sense safeguards like voter ID.’
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
