LITTLE ROCK, AR – Opponents of a statewide ballot initiative to legalize the sale of alcohol argued Thursday that signatures were handed in late and that the measure should not appear on the November 4th ballot.
Elizabeth Robben Murray, an attorney for the group Let Local Communities Decide for Themselves, says state law is clear that signatures must be turned “no less than four months” before an election.
That date fell on July 4th this year.
The Arkansas Secretary of State’s office rolled the deadline to the next business day, Monday July 7th.
Supporters of the statewide alcohol sales and raising the minimum wage handed in signatures on the final day.
Martha Adcock, an attorney representing the state said changing their protocol now would have wide ranging impacts.
“Is petitioner saying then secretary of state, county clerk city clerks must remain open on a weekend or a holiday when there are petitions to be submitted,” Adcock said. “Who’s going to pay for that?”
Early voting begins October 20th.
Elizabeth Robben Murray, an attorney for the group Let Local Communities Decide for Themselves, says state law is clear that signatures must be turned “no less than four months” before an election.
That date fell on July 4th this year.
The Arkansas Secretary of State’s office rolled the deadline to the next business day, Monday July 7th.
Supporters of the statewide alcohol sales and raising the minimum wage handed in signatures on the final day.
Martha Adcock, an attorney representing the state said changing their protocol now would have wide ranging impacts.
“Is petitioner saying then secretary of state, county clerk city clerks must remain open on a weekend or a holiday when there are petitions to be submitted,” Adcock said. “Who’s going to pay for that?”
Early voting begins October 20th.