← Election Series · Down-ballot coverage · Arkansas
Our call — vote YES
The measure
Issue 1 is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. It would provide that only a citizen of the United States may vote in an election in Arkansas, changing Article 3, Section 1 to state that only a U.S. citizen meeting the qualifications of an elector may vote, and that anyone who does not meet those qualifications may not vote in any state or local election (Ballotpedia News).
What YES does
A YES vote writes citizens-only voting into the Arkansas constitution for state and local elections alike, closing any future local attempt to extend the franchise to noncitizens.
What NO does
A NO vote leaves the constitution without this explicit citizens-only statement, relying on existing law and wording.
The math
No fiscal effect was published in the sources consulted. The amendment states a qualification for voting; it creates no new agency or program.
OUR CALL
Our call: YES.
Voting is the right of citizens — the people to whom the government belongs. Eighteen states already prohibit noncitizen voting in their constitutions, and some local jurisdictions elsewhere have tried to extend local ballots to noncitizens. Arkansas should close that door in its constitution, plainly and permanently.
For the complete Election 2026 breakdown — every race, every measure — see the LiberalMind election site.
Vote early. Research your candidates. Choose the best moderates, whatever their party — no extremism from either side. And encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Sources: Ballotpedia, 2026 ballot measures (ballotpedia.org/2026_ballot_measures); Ballotpedia News, Three states certify 2026 ballot measures on citizenship voting requirements (Dec. 5, 2025).
Result pending. No verified call (Associated Press or official) as of November 4, 2026. This page will be updated when the race is called or certified. The original article above is unchanged.
AI-assisted article — but the sources are human, and the facts are very real.