08/22/2026
From Michael Pakko for Arkansas Secretary of State:
A Victory in Court for Arkansas Voters
Yesterday’s ruling by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks is a major victory for Arkansas voters, the First Amendment, and the constitutional principle that political power belongs to the people. The court’s decision permanently blocks restrictions on Arkansas’s initiative and referendum process after already striking down numerous provisions enacted by the legislature in 2025.
What makes this ruling especially significant is that many of the unconstitutional restrictions were sponsored by Senator Kim Hammer, who has been the leading architect of legislation designed to make it more difficult for Arkansans to exercise their constitutional right to place issues before the voters. Senator Hammer is now my opponent in the race for Arkansas Secretary of State.
Let us be clear about what happened here. These were not minor drafting errors or technical mistakes. A federal judge found that Arkansas enacted restrictions that unlawfully burdened First Amendment rights in the citizen initiative process, and Kim Hammer was leading the charge. That should concern every Arkansan, regardless of party affiliation or where they stand on any particular ballot issue.
The right to circulate petitions, advocate for political change, and bring issues directly to the voters is not a privilege granted by politicians. It is a constitutional right. When elected officials attempt to erect unnecessary barriers between citizens and the ballot box, they should expect those actions to be scrutinized and, when unconstitutional, struck down.
Unfortunately, this ruling reflects a broader pattern in Arkansas politics. Rather than making government more accountable to voters, too many elected officials have focused on protecting the political establishment from the voters themselves. Whether through barriers to ballot initiatives, unnecessarily early political deadlines, or other restrictions on participation, the result is the same: fewer opportunities for citizens to make their voices heard.
As a candidate for Secretary of State, I believe the office should defend constitutional rights, not look for new ways to limit them. The Secretary of State serves the people of Arkansas, not the political establishment. My responsibility will be to administer elections fairly, protect ballot access, and ensure that every Arkansan has a meaningful opportunity to participate in our democratic process. In today’s highly polarized political environment, the public’s trust can only be earned by an election official whose allegiance is to the integrity of the process, not to the success of either major party.
Yesterday’s ruling by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks is a major victory for Arkansas voters, the First Amendment, and the constitutional principle that political power belongs to the people. The court’s decision permanently blocks restrictions on Arkansas’s initiative and referendum ...
