Arkansas Republicans implemented new restrictions on ballot measures, including mandatory reading of the measure's title and photo ID requirements for petition-signers. Critics, including Bonnie Miller of the League of Women Voters, argue these laws hinder citizen participation and may lead to a chilling effect on canvassing efforts. The laws originated from a past failed abortion rights ballot measure, and proponents cite fraud prevention as a reason for the changes, while opponents suggest that the laws limit voters' ability to propose necessary changes.
"It's really a problem, you know, in terms of time, ability to recruit folks to be canvassers, getting folks to sign petitions, getting as many people as you can to sign."
"This is one of the biggest, the most egregious, laws that they passed."
"They said this was about women's health, and I said, 'Oh, really?' They didn't make clear what it was. I knew exactly what it was because I had read it very carefully."
"A chilling effect. Because who is going to go canvass with these rules?"
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