US EditionArkansas Supreme Court Rules that Legislature Can Amend Voter-Approved Constitutional Amendments, Overturns 1951 Ruling
The Arkansas Supreme Court overturned a 1951 precedent, confirming the Legislature can amend voter-approved constitutional amendments with a two-thirds majority vote.
- On Thursday, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled the Arkansas General Assembly can amend voter-proposed constitutional amendments, expressly overruling the 1951 Arkansas Game & Fish Commission v. Edgmon precedent.
- The case began after Arkansas voters approved Amendment 98 in 2016, when Good Day Farms Arkansas and Capitol City Medicinals sued following legislative changes and a Pulaski County judge voiding about 27 laws.
- Examining Article 5, Section 1, the court found the General Assembly has authority to amend laws initiated by the people with a two-thirds vote, and the suit was not barred by sovereign immunity.
- Advocates warned the ruling weakens protections for direct-democracy measures and lets the Legislature amend medical marijuana and other ballot-authorized policies, prompting Save AR Democracy and Protect AR Rights campaigns for 2026.
- After the decision, observers noted the Arkansas Legislature passed laws making amendments harder to qualify, likely narrowing ballot scopes but not ending measures, with Protect AR Rights urging persistence.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Arkansas Supreme Court rules that legislature can amend voter-approved Constitutional amendments, overturns 1951 ruling
The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that the state legislature can amend a Constitutional amendment approved by voters, overturning a 1951 ruling, and allowing the legislature to make changes to the Medical Marijuana Amendment with a two-thirds vote.
Nebraska Examiner
Arkansas Legislature can amend voter-approved constitutional amendments, Supreme Court rules
Civic groups say an Arkansas Supreme Court decision on Dec. 11, 2025, threatens the future of direct democracy in the state. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)Arkansas lawmakers have the power to change constitutional amendments approved by voters, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The unanimous opinion overturns a 74-year-old decision that said the legislature could not amend or repeal a citizen-initiated amendment to the state const…
Arkansas Supreme Court rules state lawmakers can amend voter-proposed constitutional amendments with a two-thirds vote | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled the Arkansas Legislature -- with a two-thirds vote -- can amend or repeal voter-proposed constitutional amendments, overturning a 74-year precedent.
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