Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston is facing backlash from the Arkansans for Limited Government (AFLG) for rejecting a proposed constitutional amendment related to abortion due to missing paperwork from paid canvassers. AFLG submitted over 102,000 signatures for the amendment, but Thurston invalidated over 14,000 signatures, falling short of the required threshold. Despite AFLG’s claims of submitting required documents multiple times, Thurston refused to count the signatures.
The state Supreme Court has ordered Thurston to count the signatures collected by volunteer canvassers, which total around 87,675 signatures. However, 912 signatures remain in question due to vague information about canvassers. Thurston’s office continues to argue that AFLG did not comply with the necessary documentation and has filed a motion to dismiss the case.
AFLG’s attorney argues that noncompliance with paperwork does not invalidate the entire petition, and they are seeking to demonstrate to the Supreme Court that Thurston acted unlawfully. If the Arkansas Abortion Amendment appears on the ballot in November and is approved by voters, it would permit limited abortion rights within 18 weeks of fertilization and in certain circumstances like rape or to protect the pregnant person’s life.
Both Thurston and AFLG have until August to file briefs and the Secretary of State’s deadline to certify measures for the ballot is August 22. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for abortion rights in Arkansas.
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