Issue 1 of 2026 - Defining Who is Eligible to Vote in Arkansas
The Public Policy Center has provided neutral information on statewide ballot issues since 2004. The 2026 Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide will be available online and at your county Cooperative Extension Service office this fall.
A constitutional amendment to be known as "The Citizens Only Voting Amendment" and providing that only a citizen of the United States meeting the qualifications of an elector under the Arkansas Constitution may vote in an election in this state.
An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to create "The Citizens Only Voting Amendment"; to provide that only a citizen of the United States meeting the qualifications of an elector under the Arkansas Constitution may vote in an election in this state; and providing that a person who does not meet the qualifications of an elector under the Arkansas Constitution shall not be permitted to vote in any state or local election held in this state.
The Arkansas Constitution grants the legislature the right to include up to three constitutional amendments on the general election ballot. The Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives voted in April 2025 to place Issue 1 on the November 2026 General Election Ballot.
Amending the state constitution requires the approval of a majority of voters in a statewide election. Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026.
Rep. David Ray of Maumelle and Sen. John Payton of Wilburn
On Election Day, the ballot will show only the popular name and ballot title of this issue.
Every proposal has more text to it that further describes the proposed law. Read the complete text of Issue 1, or HJR1018 of 2025 as it was previously known, on the legislature's website.
A FOR vote means you are in favor of changing the Arkansas Constitution to specifically say only U.S. citizens who satisfy the existing qualifications of an elector may vote in Arkansas elections, and that a person who doesn’t satisfy those requirements may not vote in a state or local election. The four existing qualifications, including U.S. citizenship, would remain unchanged.
An AGAINST vote means you are not in favor of changing Article 3 of the Arkansas Constitution about who can vote in Arkansas elections.
Filings with the Arkansas Ethics Commission
Groups that support or oppose ballot issues are required to register with the Arkansas Ethics Commission as a ballot or legislative question committee once they raise or spend a certain amount of money on their efforts. Visit the Commission's website to view these filings, which include names of people behind a group and how much money has been raised or spent.
As of Aug. 20, no group has registered with the Arkansas Ethics Commission to support or oppose Issue 1.