Judge allows two additional groups to intervene in Arkansas ballot referendum case

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A federal judge on Wednesday permitted two additional groups to intervene in a case intending to strike down changes made to Arkansas ballot referendum laws.

Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids will now be able to join in the League of Women Voters of Arkansas vs. Jester case. That complaint challenges a host of recently enacted laws by the Arkansas legislature, making it harder for Arkansans to file ballot referendums.

The motion to intervene was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, Elias Law Group LLP, and Shults Law Firm LLP.

“We’re pleased that the court has granted our motion to intervene,” ACLU of Arkansas Legal Director John Williams said. “This decision ensures that the voices of grassroots groups actively engaged in the ballot initiative process will be fully represented in this case.”

Williams added: “Our clients are already feeling the impact of these unconstitutional laws, and now they’ll have the opportunity to stand up in court and defend the First Amendment rights of all Arkansans who seek political change through direct democracy.”

Previously, Protect AR Rights had filed to place a question on the Arkansas general election ballot to overturn the new laws. It had been rejected twice by the attorney general’s office due to the proposed ballot title being above an eighth-grade reading level, as required by one of the laws passed by the 95th General Assembly.

Protect AR Rights is made up of a coalition of Arkansas Appleseed, Arkansas Citizens First Congress, Arkansas Public Policy Panel, For AR People, the Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP and the Arkansas Education Association.