Activist Judge Strikes Down Election Integrity Laws in Arkansas as Unconstitutional

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

An often-reversed Arkansas judge struck down four new election integrity laws approved by the Republican-controlled state legislature, finding the statutes unconstitutional—but an appeal to the state’s supreme court seems imminent.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen permanently enjoined the laws—Acts 249, 728, 736, and 973—on March 18 after a four-day trial. The statutes came as part of a nationwide wave of new state-level election laws that followed irregularities during the 2020 presidential election.

In court, Griffen reportedly said the defendants, including Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston, a Republican, hadn’t demonstrated a need for the laws and that the state’s fears about election integrity were “based entirely on conjecture and speculation,” which “cannot be permitted to supply the place of proof.” Griffen said he would issue a detailed order at a later date.

The lawsuit was initiated by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas (LWVAR), Arkansas United, and five voters. They claimed the statutes disproportionately harmed voters of color.

LWVAR president Bonnie Miller said on social media that she was pleased with the court decision.

“We’re celebrating this victory for democracy and are confident that justice will continue to prevail despite the attorney general’s inevitable appeal.”

Andrew Collins, a Democrat who is a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, also reacted favorably to the ruling.

“Each of these laws, passed amidst a flood of misinformation, represents a counterproductive ‘solution’ in search of a problem,” Collins wrote on Twitter. “Meaningful election security is important, but these laws aren’t necessary to achieve it, and they make it harder for people to vote legitimately.”

Act 249 dealt with how provisional ballots are counted. Act 728, which came in response to complaints about groups giving food and water to voters, prohibited individuals from being within 100 feet of a polling place unless they are entering or leaving the facility. Act 736, a measure aimed at ballot harvesting, stated that the possession by an individual of more than four absentee ballots “creates a rebuttable presumption of intent to defraud.” Act 973 reduced the timeframe for voters to ask for absentee ballots.

State Sen. Kim Hammer, a Republican who supported the reforms, told CNN last year that the new laws were about “protecting the integrity of the vote.”

“These were taken from real examples that happened here in the state,” he said, adding that lawmakers had worked with local election officials in writing the legislation.

State leaders who support the election integrity measures were disappointed by the ruling.

“States should be left with the flexibility to protect the integrity of the ballot box and the [Arkansas] Supreme Court will have the opportunity to review the constitutionality of these laws,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, told reporters.

By Matthew Vadum

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

CHARLIE KIRK, YOU WEREN’T PROVED WRONG

"I want to be remembered for courage for my faith,” Kirk had said in a podcast merely two months ago. May his courage spur us to be bolder in our faith.

Trump’s Proposal For NATO To Stop Buying Russian Oil & Start Tariffing China Is Unrealistic

Trump proposed on social media that NATO stop buying Russian oil and start tariffing China 50-100% as part of his plan for ending the Ukrainian Conflict.

The Choices We Make

Death and disagreement are inevitable. Love and hate are choices. We will all die. Before we do, what choices will we make?

Elon Musk Speaks at Unite the Kingdom Rally

Tommy Robinson held rally, with Elon Musk appearing virtually, calling attention to leftist politicians who allow foreign immigrants to invade England.

Doxed Democrats Are Getting Fired Left and Left

Not a misprint because a title of “left and...

ABC Suspends Jimmy Kimmel: 5 Things to Know

ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely over remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, following an FCC warning its head would act against the network.

Judge Rules Pro-Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Should Be Deported

A U.S. judge ordered pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil deported after finding he omitted information on his green card application.

Charlie Kirk’s Widow, Erika, Named New CEO of Turning Point USA

Turning Point USA announced it named Erika Kirk as new CEO and board chair of Turning Point USA, which late husband, Charlie Kirk, co-founded.

Shares of Intel Increase 30 Percent on $5 Billion Nvidia Investment

Shares of Intel increased by about 30 percent at the opening bell after Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in the struggling chipmaker on Sept. 18.

Trump, Starmer Seal Record $340 Billion ‘Tech Prosperity Deal’

President Trump and British PM Keir Starmer announced a new partnership worth $340 billion in technology, nuclear power, and private equity.

Rubio Says US Visa Revocations Underway After Charlie Kirk Death Celebrations

SoS Marco Rubio said foreign nationals who made celebratory comments over Charlie Kirk’s assassination will have their U.S. visas revoked.

Trump Supports Designating Antifa a Terrorist Organization

President Trump said he would support designating the antifa movement a terrorist organization in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination last week.

US Conducts Strike on Another Drug Boat From Venezuela: Trump

Three people were killed in a U.S. strike on a Venezuelan drug boat, President Donald Trump announced on Sept. 15.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central