LITTLE ROCK, Ark — Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has rejected a ballot proposal that would ask voters in 2024 to decide on whether or not to reverse the state's abortion ban.
An Arkansas group has announced Monday, Nov. 28, the formation of the "Arkansans for Limited Government" ballot question committee, an initiative to challenge the state's ban on abortion and other maternity care legislation.
The group, For AR People, introduced the ballot to limit "government interference in Arkansans' personal healthcare matters," as it would work to support the Arkansas Reproductive Healthcare Amendment
The group accused Arkansas as being "the most dangerous state in the country for pregnant women and girls" due to maternal mortality rates that they said are twice as high as the nation's average.
For AR People called the restrictions a "healthcare emergency for [Arkansas]" as they acknowledged that 50% of Arkansas counties are either limited or have no access to maternity care services, according to the group.
The group pointed to the state's total abortion ban as a factor that would "worsen" the aforementioned healthcare emergency.
For AR People said that the Arkansas Reproductive Healthcare Amendment would remove those restrictions and give liberty to Arkansas patients and their doctors, which they said would make the state "safer and healthier for everyone."
The proposed amendment would remove the abortion ban in Arkansas and allow abortions up to 18 weeks or in the case of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly, or "when abortion is needed to protect the pregnant woman's life or health."
"When it comes to personal healthcare, Arkansans know what's best for their families, and the government shouldn't pretend to play 'doctor' or know better," said Dr. Hershey Garner, Chair and spokesperson of Arkansans for Limited Government. "These matters are deeply personal and should be between an individual and their medical provider."
In the rejection letter to the group, Griffin cited several issues with the proposed constitutional amendment. Among the issues included what he called "partisan coloring" and that is was "misleading because your proposal is solely related to abortion, not 'reproductive healthcare' generally."
Griffin also raises issues concerning the meaning of "health" and "access" when used in the proposal and its effect on existing constitutional law.
"We are also heartened by the overwhelming support we have received from Arkansans across the state, including pledges to sign a future petition in favor of the Arkansas Reproductive Healthcare Amendment," Arkansans for Limited Government said in response to the rejection. "Residents want sensible reproductive policy, and Arkansans for Limited Government will begin work immediately with the amendment drafter to craft a revised amendment. We are committed to supporting a ballot proposal that is clear for Arkansas voters."
You can read Griffin's full rejection letter by clicking here.
Rose Mimms, executive director of the Arkansas Right to Life, also called the proposed amendment "broadly written" and said it "goes too far."
"The proposed constitutional amendment is not about limited government," Mimms claimed, "it's about forcing no limit abortion on the people of Arkansas."