In Arkansas, the Constitution gives the people the power to shape their own laws directly through the initiative and referendum process. This isn’t just a legal mechanism—it’s a foundational democratic right. But in recent years, that power has been chipped away by legislation designed to make it harder for citizens to place measures on the ballot.

 

It’s time to restore what rightfully belongs to the people.

 

I support repealing laws that limit access to the initiative and referendum process and defending the constitutional rights of Arkansans to propose, challenge, and vote on laws directly. When politicians fail to listen, this process allows citizens to take action—and that’s exactly what democracy is supposed to look like.

 

Ballot access should be fair, transparent, and achievable—not buried under red tape or manipulated by those in power. I will work to ensure the people’s voice is not silenced by bureaucratic obstacles or partisan interests.

 

In a republic, the people are the ultimate authority—not the parties, not the politicians, and not the special interests. It’s time to reaffirm that truth by protecting and expanding the tools the people have to govern themselves.

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In a government by the people, elections should serve the people—not just political parties. Yet here in Arkansas, primaries are often paid for with public tax dollars while locking out many of the very taxpayers who fund them.

I believe that if we’re all paying for elections, then we should all have a voice in them. That’s why I support nonpartisan open primaries—where every candidate appears on a single ballot, and every voter, regardless of party affiliation, can participate equally.

 

Closed primaries exclude independent voters and discourage moderate candidates who could build consensus across party lines. They force candidates to appeal to narrow partisan bases rather than the broader public they’re supposed to serve.

By moving to a nonpartisan primary system, we shift power away from party insiders and toward the people. We allow the best ideas—and the most broadly supported leaders—to rise. And we encourage a more civil, collaborative politics where candidates work to earn support from across the political spectrum, not just their base.

Taxpayer-funded elections should reflect the will of all taxpayers. It’s time to put voters—not parties—first.

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Free and fair elections are the foundation of any functioning republic—and we cannot afford to take them for granted. Every legal vote should count, and every citizen should have confidence that our electoral system is both secure and accessible.

 

Earning that confidence means making sure our voting systems are transparent, verifiable, and resilient. Whether through paper records, reliable technology, or clear audit procedures, voters should know there is a trustworthy way to confirm results and resolve disputes fairly. When people see the system working as it should, they can accept outcomes with confidence, regardless of politics.

 

Just as important, integrity must go hand in hand with access. That includes safe and secure early voting, absentee ballot options when needed, and well-resourced polling places in every community—urban, rural, and underserved alike. The goal is simple: make participation straightforward for every eligible citizen, while protecting the fairness and accuracy of every election.

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For too long, political insiders have manipulated district boundaries to serve their own interests—splitting communities, protecting incumbents, and undermining the power of your vote. This practice, known as gerrymandering, damages our democracy by allowing politicians to choose their voters instead of voters choosing their leaders.

While some have called for independent commissions to draw district lines, these commissions can still fall prey to hidden partisan agendas or backroom deals. That’s why I believe we must take a step further—and embrace technological solutions that prioritize objectivity, transparency, and fairness from the start.

Using open-source algorithms, we can generate district maps based on clear, nonpartisan criteria—like compactness, contiguity, equal population, and respect for genuine communities of interest. These algorithmic approaches reduce human bias and produce maps that are mathematically fair and easy for the public to understand and verify.

Of course, the human element remains essential. That’s why I support a public oversight process where citizens can review and challenge proposed maps, ensuring transparency and accountability every step of the way.

Gerrymandering isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a democratic one. By leveraging modern tools with public accountability, we can protect the principle of one person, one vote, and ensure that every Arkansan’s voice is heard equally.

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