LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On December 2, Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester issued an appeal for a preliminary injunction blocking ballot initiative laws to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

This comes after a federal judge blocked several new laws affecting ballot petitions and direct democracy campaigns on November 19; however, at this time, the reason for the appeal has not been announced.

The ruling, issued by Judge Timothy Brooks, clears the way for the group "Protect AR Rights" to begin gathering signatures for next year's election.

Earlier this year, Arkansas lawmakers proposed legislation that they said would make the petition process more secure, such as requiring each signer to show a photo ID and requiring canvassers to submit affidavits before any signatures they collect can

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