(from the April 2, 2025 Talk Business article ” House Panel approves ‘citizens Only’ voting amendment; Senate defeats prison funding again”)

After a grueling day of debate at the State Capitol that lasted until nearly 8 p.m., lawmakers on the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee recommended one proposed constitutional amendment for voters to consider in the 2026 general election.

HJR 1018 by Rep. David Ray, R-Maumelle, the Citizens Only Voting Amendment, was the top-ranked choice of the committee. The measure states that “only a citizen of the United States meeting the qualifications of an elector under this section may vote in an election in this state.”

Supporters argue there are not enough protections in the Arkansas Constitution or state law to prevent non-citizens from voting.

HJR 1018 must now be approved by the full House of Representatives and the Senate before it will be considered as a referral to voters in the next general election.

Read the entire article here.