Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Race

The race for chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court will be decided in a November runoff between two sitting justices — Rhonda Wood and Karen Baker.

There were four candidates in the race in the Spring and Wood, 51, of Conway and Baker, 60, of Clinton were the top two vote-getters in a race that was too close to call.

Both are seasoned jurists but they clearly have differing political views. Karen Baker voted For the abortion amendment to be on the November ballot. Rhonda Wood voted Against.

Issue #1

This will allow state lottery proceeds to fund scholarships at private and public vocational-technical schools and technical institutes.

Arkansas legislators are asking voters to expand the types of educational institutions that qualify for state lottery scholarships, to include private and public vocational-technical schools and technical institutes. Currently, lottery scholarships can be used at private and public nonprofit two and four-year colleges and universities in the state.

This would defer some of the money currently used for academic scholarships.

Issue #2

Repealing Pope County Casino License and Requiring Local Elections

The wording of this amendment is confusing and somewhat backward. If you vote YES, that means you would change the state constitution to remove the Pope County casino gaming license and if any future amendments authorizing additional casino licenses be approved by a statewide vote, it would require a special election and approval of voters in the county where that casino would be located to approve it.

If you vote NO, it means you are not in favor of changing the state constitution. The Pope County casino gaming license would remain in the Arkansas Constitution and, should any future casino licenses be approved by a statewide vote, a special election and approval of voters in the county where that casino would be located would not be required.

Supporters say casinos should not be forced into communities that don’t want them and Issue 2 will allow local voters to decide what’s best for their communities. Pope County voted against Amendment 100, which passed in 2018 and allowed four casinos to be built: one in West Memphis, one in Hot Springs, one in Jefferson County and one in Pope County. Voters in Pope County voted 61% against Amendment 100. A YES vote on Issue 2 ensures that no county will be forced to have a casino without local voter approval.

Those against Issue #2 say this attempt to repeal the Pope County casino license is being driven by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, which controls a competing casino just across the state line near Fort Smith. Their mission is to keep Arkansas tourism and tax dollars flowing across state lines and into their pockets. They also say that if this amendment passes, they would lose thousands of jobs for Arkansans and $5 billion in economic impact that includes improvements to roads, education, health care and more. It would also cost Pope County more than $40 million by nullifying Pope County’s economic development agreement with Cherokee Nation Entertainment.

Issue #3

Expanding the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Program

A FOR vote means you are in favor of changing the Arkansas Constitution to prohibit legislators from changing or repealing any constitutional amendment without another vote of the people, and you are in favor of expanding the state’s existing medical marijuana program with regards to who can qualify for the program, the types of health care professionals who can certify patients for the program, and to allow patients to grow marijuana at home, among other changes.

An AGAINST vote means you are not in favor of changing the Arkansas Constitution to prohibit legislators from being able to change any constitutional amendments without another vote of the people, and you are against expanding the state’s existing medical marijuana program with regards to who can qualify for the program, the types of health care providers who can certify patients for the program, and allowing patients to grow marijuana at home, among other changes.

Supporters say medical cannabis cards will be valid for three years, reducing renewal burdens for patients and caregivers. Visitors who have a medical card from their state may use Arkansas dispensaries without the need of a temporary card. It will give healthcare practitioners increased discretion to determine if medical cannabis is appropriate for their patients, making it easier for those in need to receive treatment. The expanded definition of “healthcare practitioner” broadens the range of qualified professionals who can provide written certifications. Pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and physician’s assistants will now qualify. Patients and their caregivers have the right to grow their own cannabis at home, promoting both affordability and accessibility, particularly for rural cardholders.

Patients will be able to grow up to 14 plants, only half of which may be mature. The amendment stipulates that home cultivation must comply with state regulations, which include security measures to ensure that the plants are not accessible to unauthorized individuals, including children.

Opponents say since the amendment allows marijuana to be home grown and processed at any residence, the law will shield foreign drug cartels who move into Arkansas communities and neighborhoods to grow and process marijuana so it can be illegally shipped across the nation as they are currently doing in Oklahoma. Passage of the amendment will hurt children because it removes Arkansas’ restrictions on marijuana advertising, making it possible for children to see marijuana ads on TV, online, and on cell phones. It creates further danger to children by removing child-proof packaging requirements and allowing harmful levels of THC to be infused into candy that is appealing to children.

Much of this information was gleaned from the University of Arkansas 2024 Voter Guide. Even more information can be found in at their website: