LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Arkansas lawmakers on Thursday voted to propose constitutional amendments to make passing ballot measures tougher and allow the Legislature to convene a special session without a governor’s mandate.
The Senate voted 23-6 to place on next year’s ballot a proposal requiring a 60% voter majority, rather than a simple majority, to approve proposed initiated acts or constitutional amendments.
The new threshold would apply to initiatives placed on the ballot by the Legislature and ones by petition campaigns. It would not apply to referenda on laws enacted by the Legislature.
The proposed change follows several major ballot initiatives getting approved in recent elections, including medical marijuana and an increase in the state’s minimum wage.
The House voted 82-9 to place on next year’s ballot a proposal to allow legislative leaders to convene a special session with the support of two-thirds of both chambers. Currently, only the governor can call a special session.
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