The group behind the proposed Arkansas Abortion Amendment pushed back on Secretary of State John Thurston Thursday after he disqualified the measure from the November ballot on technicalities.
Why it matters: The letter states Thurston " unlawfully rejected the petition," and adds that even if the group had failed in some technical way, its "compliance efforts … are abundant, well-documented and repeatedly acknowledged by your office."
State of play: The group gathered more than 101,000 signatures before submitting the petition to Thurston's office on July 5. He rejected them on July 10 for lack of proper paperwork regarding paid canvassers.
The letter back to Thurston, penned by Arkansans for Limited Government executive director Lauren Cowles, included a notarized affidavit stating paid canvassers had been briefed on Arkansas law. It was dated June 27.
- Cowles also said the group submitted a list of 266 paid canvassers and affidavits of training from each on July 5 when it submitted the signed petitions.
The big picture: The proposed amendment would allow abortion through the first 18 weeks of pregnancy, and also in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly or to save the pregnant person's life.
Context: Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, abortion has been banned in Arkansas except to save the pregnant person's life, treat an ectopic pregnancy or remove a dead fetus.
- The law currently does not provide exceptions for rape, incest, age, health of the pregnant person or fatal fetal anamoly.
- Doctors performing an abortion could be fined up to $100,000, face 10 years in prison or both.
What's next: Cowles asked Thurston to confirm by Monday, July 15 that the petition contains the required number of signatures and that the Secretary of State's office would continue to verify them all.
Read the full letter:
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