Opinion
CV-24-455
08-19-2024
Lauren Cowles, Individually and on Behalf of Arkansans for Limited Government, a Ballot Question Committee v. John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State, an Original Action.
Petitioners' original action complaint and motion to expedite and for emergency relief. Respondent's motion to dismiss. Motion to expedite granted. Arkansas Secretary of State is ordered to perform the initial count of signatures collected by volunteer canvassers according to A.C.A. § 7-9-126(a) by Monday, July 29, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. The Court reserves the right to issue further orders and proceed in accordance with State law.
Kemp, C.J., and Baker and Hudson, JJ., would order respondent, Secretary of State, to perform an initial count of signatures and a verification analysis in accordance with A.C.A. § 7-9-126; and order the Secretary of State to provide the findings of section 7-9-126 review to this Court by Monday, July 29, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Kemp, C.J., and Baker and Hudson, JJ., would grant in part the motion for emergency relief and grant petitioners a thirty-day provisional cure period to commence on the date of this order. See Miller v. Thurston, 2020 Ark. 262 (per curiam). Briefing schedule, decision on motion to dismiss, and appointment of a Special Master for fact-finding, if necessary, would follow this Court's receipt of the findings of section 7-9-126 review by the Secretary of State. (Proceedings of July 23, 2024)
PER CURIAM ORDER