Save AR Democracy

The conversation delves into the significance of the ballot title approval process, the challenges faced during signature collection, and the historical context and development of the measure. It also explores the role of the League of Women Voters, legal challenges, and the evolution of the ballot title approval process, emphasizing the protection of constitutional rights and the simplification of signature collection.TakeawaysBallot title approval processSimplification of signature collectionChapters00:00 The Importance of Ballot Title Approval11:02 Regulations and Constitutional Protection

You went to the polls. You signed the petition. You got it on the ballot. You voted yes. And it passed.That used to mean something permanent in Arkansas. For 74 years, a Supreme Court ruling called Edgmon protected every citizen-initiated constitutional amendment from being quietly rewritten or repealed in the next legislative session. This summer, that protection was overturned.In this first episode of the Save AR Democracy podcast, Bonnie Miller, President of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, and David Couch, the attorney who helped draft the Save AR Democracy ballot measure, break down exactly what changed and why it matters. In plain terms, no law degree required.Here's what you'll understand after listening:Why the Game and Fish Commission, the Highway Commission, medical marijuana, casinos, the scholarship lottery, and term limits are all now at riskWhat the Edgmon ruling actually said and why overturning it opened the door to legislative override of voter-passed amendmentsWhy Arkansas having all three forms of direct democracy makes this fight especially significant (and rare)What a referendum is and how it differs from an initiativeWhat the Save AR Democracy amendment would do to restore the protection voters just lostArkansas is the only state in the South where citizens can initiate constitutional amendments, pass laws, and run referenda. That's a remarkable amount of civic power. And right now, all of it is more vulnerable than it has ever been.Bonnie and David don't just explain the problem. They explain exactly what citizens can do, why this year is the window to act, and why the League of Women Voters has been preparing for this moment for years.Press play. Then share this with someone who voted yes on anything in the last 30 years.Save AR Democracy (sign the petition, get involved): https://www.saveardemocracy.org/League of Women Voters of Arkansas: https://lwvar.org/David Couch, attorney and ballot measure drafter: https://www.davidcouchlaw.com/Arkansas Secretary of State: current certified ballot measures for 2026: https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/initiatives-and-referenda/State v. Good Day Farm (the full Supreme Court ruling that overturned Edgmon): https://arkansasadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/STATE-V-GOOD-DAY-FARMS-121125.pdf