4 Of 5 Ballot Issues Pass

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 193 views 

Four of five ballot issues were passed by Arkansas voters on Tuesday (Nov. 4) instituting legislative oversight of the executive branch, raising the minimum wage and new ethics rules and an extension of term limits. A proposal to expand alcohol sales failed.

Issue No. 1 allows the state Legislature to review and approve regulations submitted by executive agencies. It cleared voter approval handily by a 60-40% margin.

Issue No. 2, which altered how ballot signatures are reviewed by the Secretary of State’s office, passed 53-47%.

Issue No. 3 changed a variety of ethics rules for state officeholders and also extended term limits to 16 years in either legislative chamber. It passed 52-48%. One provision of the measure’s passage would prohibit corporate contributions to candidates for office.

Issue No. 4, which would have expanded alcohol sales to all 75 counties, failed by a 57-43% margin.

Issue No. 5, which raises the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour by 2017, passed 66-34%.