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House refers 'citizens-only' voting amendment to Arkansas voters after floor debate
Summary
The Arkansas House voted to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would limit voting in state and local elections to U.S. citizens, passing 82-6 with three present after a floor debate that framed the change as clarification of Article III, Section 1 of the state constitution.
The Arkansas House voted 82-6, with three present, to send a proposed constitutional amendment to the November ballot that would require that only U.S. citizens be eligible to vote in state and local elections.
Sponsor Rep. Candyce Ray, who introduced House Joint Resolution 1018 on the floor, said the amendment would “amend Article 3, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution” to make voter eligibility language explicit and to prevent localities or future laws from allowing noncitizen voting in municipal contests. Ray framed the measure as a pre-emptive clarification to avoid what she described as a potential erosion of the meaning of “citizen.”
Opponents argued the change was unnecessary in Arkansas and could stigmatize immigrant communities. Representative Gonzalez Worthen said there is “no evidence of noncitizen voting in Arkansas,” adding that noncitizens on a path to naturalization would not risk their future status by voting illegally. Representative Beatty urged colleagues to support the referral, saying any single instance of noncitizen voting would be too many. Ray closed by reiterating that the amendment is intended to prevent future legalization of noncitizen voting in local elections.
Why it matters: The measure would refer a constitutional text change to voters; if approved by statewide voters it would lock the state’s elections eligibility language to “citizens only.” Supporters said the change is a straightforward guardrail; opponents said it addresses a problem not demonstrated in Arkansas and could carry political or social consequences for immigrant communities.
Votes and next steps: The House recorded 82 yays, 6 nays and 3 present; the resolution will be placed on the statewide ballot for voters to decide.
Quotes: “I start from the simple premise that Arkansans should determine the future of Arkansas and Americans should determine the future of America,” Rep. Candyce Ray said while framing the amendment’s intent. Rep. Gonzalez Worthen said, “We have no evidence of noncitizen voting in Arkansas. It is against the law.”
Context: Lawmakers noted similar measures have been enacted in other states recently and cited a mix of political and legal examples in the floor debate. The measure does not by itself change the constitution; it only refers the amendment to the voters for ratification.
Ending: The proposal will appear on the November general-election ballot if the speaker’s office and election calendar allow placement; the House vote sends the referral to that next step.
