Arkansas AG approves language for two 2026 ballot initiatives

Efforts to collect signatures for two proposed ballot measures for the 2026 election will begin this fall, following the attorney general's approval of ballot language Thursday. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate)

Supporters of measures addressing government transparency and eliminating the sales tax on feminine hygiene products can begin collecting signatures for the 2026 ballot following the Arkansas attorney general’s approval of their proposals Thursday.

Groups behind both ballot initiatives refiled their proposals with the attorney general’s office last week for the 2026 ballot after failing to collect sufficient signatures for the 2024 election.

Shannie Jackson, leader of the Arkansas Period Poverty Project and chair of the ballot question committee of the same name, said they’re excited their proposed initiated act to exempt feminine hygiene products and diapers from the sales tax has received the green light for 2026.

Jackson said they’re creating a new team for their committee, which will retain its name, so they’ll submit updated paperwork to the Secretary of State’s office soon and hope to start collecting signatures in August.

“We’ll have about two years to collect, so in my brain there’s no way we can’t meet the requirement,” she said. “…We have a better plan this go around. We learned a lot from the other ballot initiatives.”

The 2024 proposal received 43,831 of the required 72,563 signatures, according to an affidavit filed with the Secretary of State’s office. The group collected signatures from all 75 counties, but only met the minimum requirements in 19, Jackson said. A 2023 state law that’s being challenged in court requires canvassers to collect signatures from 50 counties instead of the former 15.

If the 2026 measure, which contains the same language as this year’s proposal, qualifies for the ballot and is approved by Arkansas voters in two years, it would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Arkansas Period Poverty Project cleared the first hurdle in the process when Attorney General Tim Griffin approved the measure’s proposed popular name, which he deemed “not misleading,” as submitted.

However, Griffin said in Thursday’s opinion that several minor changes are necessary to make the tampon tax’s ballot title “more suitable and correct,” so he substituted and certified a ballot title “to ensure that it clearly and accurately sets forth the purpose of the proposed initiated act.”

Additionally, Griffin flagged the same textual issues he did in the group’s previous submission, including grammatical errors, improper numbering and a suggestion for definitions to mirror those found in the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement.

Meanwhile, Griffin substituted and certified the popular name and ballot title for the Arkansas Government Disclosure Amendment of 2026 . If the proposed constitutional amendment qualifies for the 2026 ballot and is approved by voters, it would become effective on Nov. 4, 2026.

The proposal would make government transparency a constitutional right. It would also require two-thirds of the Arkansas House and Senate to approve changes to the government transparency law, which would then be sent to voters. In emergency situations, a law would go into effect with 90% approval from both chambers but still be subject to a later statewide vote.

Arkansas Press Association Executive Director Ashley Wimberley serves as adviser to Arkansans for a Free Press, the ballot question committee that submitted the proposed amendment to the attorney general last week. Because they submitted language previously approved by the attorney general (the only change is the measure’s effective date), Wimberley said they expected to receive a positive response this time as well.

From here, the goal is to have strategic meetings over the next few weeks before launching into the signature gathering phase after Labor Day, she said.

“We feel like once people get through the summer and back to school, then everybody will be a bit more focused, and it gives our staff a little bit more time to catch up on some other work as well,” Wimberley said.

In addition to approving both measures, Griffin said in Thursday’s opinions that he sent supporters a copy of current instructions for canvassers and signers that should be incorporated into petitions before circulation. However, he noted these instructions may be revised next year to incorporate any relevant changes made during the 2025 legislative session.

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