By Andrew DeMillo | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Advocate readers! Days before the deadline to submit initiative petitions, a federal judge has ruled Arkansas’ ballot measure restrictions are unconstitutional. The ruling keeps in place a block on the restrictions on signature-gatherers. You can find more Arkansas government and politics news on the Advocate site here.
Sawyer Hansen collected signatures for a ballot measure during the NWA Pride festival on June 28, 2025 in Fayetteville. (Photo by Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Antoinette Grajeda
A federal judge on Tuesday declared unconstitutional state laws restricting Arkansas’ initiative and referendum process that are being challenged in court by ballot measure sponsors.
From left: Republican Sens. Mark Johnson of Ferndale and David Wallace of Leachville, Secretary of Shared Administrative Services Leslie Fisken, GOP House Speaker Brian Evans of Cabot, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and GOP Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester present a new development in the Arkansas Forward cost-saving initiative on July 1, 2026. (Photo by Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Tess Vrbin
Arkansas officials launched an online database Wednesday of government cost-saving efforts as part of an ongoing initiative that Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said would “slow the growth of government.”
People cool off with their dogs at the dog-friendly section of Montrose Beach on June 30, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. High humidity and temperatures in the 90s with heat indices above 100 degrees are expected to remain in the city for the next several days. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By DC Bureau
The weather service warned that these temperatures, and the lack of relief even at night, will pose a serious risk of heat-related illness. Those with pre-existing conditions or who do not have immediate access to air conditioning will be especially vulnerable.
MORE NEWS
Teeter wins special GOP runoff for late Arkansas House member’s seat | Arkansas Advocate
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