Open Primaries Arkansas says it will submit 50,000 more signatures Thursday to qualify its proposed constitutional amendment to change primary voting in Arkansas.

The Republican secretary of state rejected the original round of petitions, but the group appealed. A special master found that the group had met the facial requirement for 89,000 signatures and thus should qualify to continue gathering signatures should any ultimately be disqualfied, but a key question of law is left for the Supreme Court on whether the group satisfied a state law requiring criminal background checks for paid canvassers. The law is unmeetable as far as getting a federal background check is concerned because the State Police can’t perform it, as statute requires.

Advertisement

The amendment would end party primaries. All candidates for Congress and state offices, regardless of party affiliation, would compete in an open primary. In the general election, voters would rank the top four finishers in order of preference, just as military personnel voting absentee do to ensure the candidate with majority support is the definitive winner.

The Republican Party of Arkansas opposes the proposal.

 

Advertisement

50 years of fearless reporting and still going strong

Be a part of something bigger and join the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been tackling powerful forces through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 email subscribers, it's clear that our readers value our commitment to great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating – as little as $1 –, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Take a stand with the Arkansas Times and make a difference with your subscription or donation today.

Previous article Coronavirus today: Governor unconcerned about UAMS COVID-19 projections Next article Today’s news: The Hillcrest delegation votes for Joe Biden