Little Rock, Arkansas – A new legislative proposal in Arkansas aims to change the way constitutional amendments are approved by voters, raising the threshold required for passage. The bill, titled the “Protect Our Constitution Act,” seeks to require a two-thirds majority for any constitutional amendment to become law, a significant shift from the current simple majority rule.
The measure, introduced by State Senator Jim Dotson (R-Bentonville) and State Representative Jimmy Gazaway (R-Paragould), has already cleared an important hurdle. On Tuesday, it was read and passed out of the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee. The next step is a vote in the full Senate, where its fate will be decided.
Under current Arkansas law, ballot measures and constitutional amendments can pass with a simple majority vote. However, the new proposal would impose a stricter requirement, making it more challenging for amendments to succeed.
This isn’t the first time Arkansas lawmakers have attempted to tighten the rules around ballot initiatives. In 2022, voters rejected a measure that would have required a 60% approval rate for constitutional amendments. That proposal was placed on the ballot by legislators but ultimately failed to gain enough public support.
The introduction of SB586 aligns with a broader push by Republican lawmakers this legislative session to overhaul the ballot measure process. Efforts include stricter regulations on signature collection and new limitations on how initiatives can make it onto the ballot in the first place.
Supporters argue that raising the threshold for constitutional amendments would protect the state’s foundational laws from being changed too easily. Critics, however, view the proposal as a way to suppress voter influence and make it harder for grassroots initiatives to succeed.
As the bill moves forward, it is expected to spark debate among lawmakers and the public alike. Whether the proposed changes will gain enough legislative backing remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Arkansas’ ballot measure process is facing significant potential changes.
