Arkansas Covid Legal Information
We drew these resources principally from Justin Levitt's list of COVID-19 election cases, Standford-MIT Healthy Elections Project COVID-Related Election Litigation Tracker, and the National Center for State Legislatures' COVID-19 and 2020 Primary Elections page.
Litigation Tracker
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Miller v. Thurston
Topics
Ballot Access; Signature Requirements
Status
Preliminary Injunction Granted in Part 5/25, Reversed 7/23
Date Filed
22/04/2020
Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Description
Challenge to signature requirements for initiative petitions that require in-person contact between petition circulators, petition signers, and notaries. The district court granted a preliminary injunction in part, but it was reversed by the 8th Circuit.
Links
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Whitfield v. Thurston
Topics
Ballot Access; Signature Requirements
Status
Post-Trial Judgment for Defense 6/24
Date Filed
29/04/2020
Court
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Description
Challenge to deadline and signature requirements for independent candidates.
Links
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Mays v. Thurston
Topics
Vote by Mail
Status
Dismissed 3/31
Date Filed
29/04/2020
Court
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Description
Challenge to the election day receipt deadline. Temporary restraining order was denied 3/30. Case dismissed 3/31.
Links
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Baker v. Thurston
Topics
Vote by Mail
Status
Dismissed 7/21
Date Filed
23/06/2020
Court
Arkansas Circuit Court, Pulaski County
Description
Challenge to absentee request excuse requirements.
Links
Executive Actions
Legislative Actions
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AK SB 241
Topics
Vote by Mail
Date Filed
18/05/2020
Description
Authorizes the state to direct that any primary or special election in 2020 be conducted by mail.
Links