LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas lawmakers are taking a look at the state's petition process to place initiatives on the ballot after election officials said thousands of signatures submitted for proposals were invalid.
The House and Senate committees on state agencies and government affairs on Tuesday voted to study the laws and procedures for placing proposed initiated acts and constitutional amendments on the ballot. The panels are expected to hear from state election officials on Aug. 23.
The proposed study comes after backers of three ballot measures were told they fell short of the required signatures and were given additional time to circulate petitions. Election officials said more than two-thirds of the signatures for a casino legalization proposal and an increase in the severance tax on natural gas were invalid.
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