Organizers leading an initiative to reduce Arkansas’ abortion ban announced that they have gathered more signatures than required to present their proposal to voters in the upcoming November election.
Arkansans for Limited Government has submitted the petitions and confirmed that they have exceeded the 90,704 signatures needed from registered voters for the proposal to qualify. Election officials will now validate the signatures.
This submission adds to the ongoing validation of signatures on abortion measures in six states. Additionally, five other states already have these measures on the ballot, along with a proposed amendment in New York aimed at preventing discrimination based on “pregnancy outcomes.”
In Arizona and Nebraska, supporters of separate abortion measures also submitted petitions on Wednesday in their respective states.
The outcome of these measures could either shift or reinforce the trends observed since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to revoke the nationwide right to abortion two years ago.
Following the ruling, most states controlled by Republicans have implemented new abortion restrictions, with 14 states banning abortion at all stages of pregnancy. Conversely, most states led by Democrats have enacted laws or executive orders to safeguard access to abortion.
In the seven states where abortion-related issues have been put to voters since 2022, the majority have sided with advocates of abortion rights. These states include California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, and Vermont.
Related story: Abortion measures could be on Arizona and Nebraska ballots after organizers submit signatures
