Arkansans for Healthy Eyes, a Ballot Question Committee; and Vicki Farmer

Summary

The Supreme Court of Arkansas granted Safe Surgery Arkansas and Laurie Barber’s unopposed motion to intervene in the original action challenging certification of an initiative petition. The court bifurcated the proceedings, directed immediate briefing on alleged ballot-title and popular-name defects, and referred factual challenges concerning fraud, canvasser and petition compliance, and signature validity to a special master. The court also imposed bonds on the petitioners and intervenors and established expedited briefing and reporting deadlines.