Arkansas Secretary of State Rejects Pro-Abortion Group’s Ballot Initiative

The group proposed a measure that would allow abortion up to 18 weeks gestation for any reason, and later in cases of rape or incest.

Supporters and opponents of a proposed ballot measure to scale back Arkansas' abortion ban hold signs outside the old Supreme Court chamber at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., on July 5, 2024. Andrew DeMillo/AP Photo

Arkansas’ top election official rejected a petition for an abortion-related ballot measure that organizers hoped to put before voters in November.

Secretary of State John Thurston rejected Arkansans for Limited Government’s (AFLG) petition for a ballot initiative, which was submitted on July 5. Mr. Thurston cited the group’s failure to comply with the state’s requirements regarding paid signature collectors, according to the secretary’s letter to the group, shared on social media by state Rep. Ryan Rose.