Arkansans approve 3 of 4 proposed ballot measures

Arkansans narrowly rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to create local economic development districts Tuesday, but approved three other ballot measures related to noncitizen voting, gun rights and water project funding.

Issue 3 would have amended the state constitution to allow for local governments to create economic development districts and offer tax incentives to attract new business to the area. Nearly 50.7% of voters opposed the measure, according to results from secretary of state’s office. 

Supporters of the measure said it’s needed to make Arkansas more competitive, while opponents voiced concerns about being asked to approve a program whose rules would be developed by lawmakers at a later date.

Arkansas amendment would allow local economic development districts 

Meanwhile, voters approved Issue 1 and Issue 2 by wide margins. The measures earned 69% and 70% of the vote, respectively. 

Issue 1 adds language to the state constitution to explicitly prohibit noncitizens from voting in local and state elections. Arkansas’ constitution already requires voters to be U.S. citizens, and federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections.

While no such laws exist in Arkansas, there are municipalities across the country that permit noncitizens to vote in local elections, such as school board elections. Proponents say this allows all citizen children to have a voice in their school district’s elected officials. However, Issue 1 supporters argue only citizens should be allowed to vote in elections.

Issue 2 amends Arkansas’ constitution, which already allows the right to bear arms, to expand that right to include the possession and use of ammunition and firearm accessories. It also makes the right to keep and bear arms “a natural, fundamental, and individual right that shall not be infringed.”

The measure’s sponsors say it’s needed to better protect the right to keep and bear arms, while critics argue it would make it more difficult to implement gun safety regulations.

Both constitutional amendments will go into effect Jan. 1. 

Arkansans also approved Issue 4, which authorizes the state to issue up to $500 million in general obligations bonds to pay for water, waste disposal, water pollution control, abatement and prevention, drainage, irrigation, flood control and wetlands and aquatic resources projects. 

The measure also allows bonds to be used to refinance previous bond issues.  

Voters approved the proposals with 56.4% of the vote, according to results from the secretary of state.