ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT PROCEEDINGS OF AUGUST 19, 2024 PER CURIAM ORDERS CV-24-453. Oscar Stilley v. John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State; and Arkansans for Limited Government, an Original Action. Petitioner’s petition on original action to compel the Secretary of State to count and certify the number of legal signatures on the Arkansas Abortion Amendment of 2024, to declare Act 236 of 2023 unconstitutional, and to declare Act 1413 of 2013 unconstitutional whether in whole or in part, etc. Answer of separate respondent, John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Arkansas Secretary of State, to petition on original action due by Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Gary Arnold is appointed as Special Master to conduct a hearing and make findings of fact regarding the validity of Oscar Stilley’s voter registration. The Special Master is ordered to report his findings to this Court by August 26, 2024. Petitioner’s motion for voluntary dismissal of Arkansans for Limited Government and motion of separate respondent, John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Arkansas Secretary of State, to dismiss, are taken with the case. Wood and Hiland, JJ., would not appoint a Special Master. (Proceedings of July 26, 2024)
CV-24-453. Oscar Stilley v. John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State; and Arkansans for Limited Government, an Original Action. Petitioner’s petition on original action to compel the Secretary of State to count and certify the number of legal signatures on the Arkansas Abortion Amendment of 2024, to declare Act 236 of 2023 unconstitutional, and to declare Act 1413 of 2013 unconstitutional whether in whole or in part, etc. Petitioner is directed to file a bond approved by the clerk of the court in the amount of $5,000. Bond due within seven days (August 16, 2024). (Proceedings of August 9, 2024)
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ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT PROCEEDINGS OF AUGUST 19, 2024 PER CURIAM ORDERS CV-24-455. Lauren Cowles, Individually and on Behalf of Arkansans for Limited Government, a Ballot Question Committee v. John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State, an Original Action. Petitioners’ original action complaint and motion to expedite and for emergency relief. Respondent’s motion to dismiss. Motion to expedite granted. Arkansas Secretary of State is ordered to perform the initial count of signatures collected by volunteer canvassers according to A.C.A. § 7-9-126(a) by Monday, July 29, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. The Court reserves the right to issue further orders and proceed in accordance with State law. Kemp, C.J., and Baker and Hudson, JJ., would order respondent, Secretary of State, to perform an initial count of signatures and a verification analysis in accordance with A.C.A. § 7-9-126; and order the Secretary of State to provide the findings of section 7-9-126 review to this Court by Monday, July 29, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Kemp, C.J., and Baker and Hudson, JJ., would grant in part the motion for emergency relief and grant petitioners a thirty-day provisional cure period to commence on the date of this order. See Miller v. Thurston, 2020 Ark. 262 (per curiam). Briefing schedule, decision on motion to dismiss, and appointment of a Special Master for fact-finding, if necessary, would follow this Court’s receipt of the findings of section 7-9-126 review by the Secretary of State. (Proceedings of July 23, 2024)
CV-24-455. Lauren Cowles, Individually and on Behalf of Arkansans for Limited Government, a Ballot Question Committee v. John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State, an Original Action. Petitioners’ original action complaint. Respondent’s motion to dismiss taken with the case. Respondent is ordered to file an answer to the original action petition by Monday, July 29, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Simultaneous briefing commenced. Petitioners’ and respondent’s simultaneous briefs due Friday, August 2, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Petitioners’ and respondent’s simultaneous reply briefs due Friday, August 9, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Kemp, C.J., and Baker and Hudson, JJ., would order Respondent, Secretary of State, to comply fully with the directives of their July 23, 2024, dissent, and would also appoint a Special Master to resolve factual issues raised in the original action petition. (Proceedings of July 26, 2024)
CV-24-455. Lauren Cowles, Individually and on Behalf of Arkansans for Limited Government, a Ballot Question Committee v. John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State, an Original Action. Respondent’s motion for leave to file supplemental addendum is granted. (Proceedings of August 13, 2024)
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ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT PROCEEDINGS OF AUGUST 19, 2024 PER CURIAM ORDERS CV-24-455. Lauren Cowles, Individually and on Behalf of Arkansans for Limited Government, a Ballot Question Committee v. John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State; Local Voters in Charge, a Ballot Question Committee; Jim Knight, Individually and on Behalf of Local Voters in Charge; Arkansans for Patient Access, a Ballot Question Committee; and Bill Paschall, Individually and on Behalf of Arkansans for Patient Access, an Original Action. Joint motion of Local Voters in Charge, a Ballot Question Committee; and Jim Knight, Individually and on Behalf of Local Voters in Charge and Arkansans for Patient Access, for leave to intervene is granted. Kemp, C.J., and Wood and Hiland, JJ., would deny. (Proceedings of August 13, 2024)
CV-24-492. Jennifer McGill, Individually and on Behalf of the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee; and Cherokee Nation Entertainment, LLC v. John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Arkansas Secretary of State; Local Voters in Charge, a Ballot Question Committee; and Jim Knight, Individually and on Behalf of Local Voters in Charge, an Original Action. Motion to expedite granted; motion to intervene granted; bifurcation ordered; special master appointed; briefing schedule set; motion for oral argument denied. Wood, J., would grant the motion for oral argument. Womack and Hiland, JJ., would postpone a decision on the motion for oral argument until after receipt of the special master’s report. (See per curiam issued August 9, 2024)
CV-24-492. Jennifer McGill, Individually and on Behalf of the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee; and Cherokee Nation Entertainment, LLC v. John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Arkansas Secretary of State; Local Voters in Charge, a Ballot Question Committee; and Jim Knight, Individually and on Behalf of Local Voters in Charge, an Original Action. Petitioners’ unopposed motion to file an enlarged brief is denied. Kemp, C.J., would grant. (Proceedings of August 13, 2024)
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ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT PROCEEDINGS OF AUGUST 19, 2024 CASES SUBMITTED CV-24-455. Lauren Cowles, Individually and on Behalf of Arkansans for Limited Government, a Ballot Question Committee v. John Thurston, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State; Local Voters in Charge, a Ballot Question Committee; Jim Knight, Individually and on Behalf of Local Voters in Charge; Arkansans for Patient Access, a Ballot Question Committee; and Bill Paschall, Individually and on Behalf of Arkansans for Patient Access, an Original Action.
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