Arkansas Proposed Initiative Act No. 1
Arkansas Proposed Initiative Act No. 1 (2008) is an Initiated state statute that was approved on November 4, 2008 election in Arkansas. This measure makes it illegal for any individuals cohabiting outside of a valid marriage to adopt or provide foster care to minors. While the measure was proposed primarily to prohibit same-sex couples from being adoptive or foster parents, this measure also applies to all otherwise qualified couples who are not legally married.[1]
On December 30, 2008, the ACLU filed suit in state court on behalf of 29 adults and children, challenging Act 1 as unconstitutional.[2]
On April 16, 2010, the law was overturned by Circuit Court Judge Chris Piazza.[3] The ruling was upheld unanimously by the Arkansas Supreme Court on April 7, 2011.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Results
| Arkansas Proposed Initiative Act No. 1 (2008)[5] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Choice | Votes | Percentage |
 Yes |
586,248 | 57.07% |
| No | 440,945 | 42.93% |
| Invalid or blank votes | 60,243 | 5.5% |
| Total votes | 1,087,436 | 100.00% |
| Voter turnout | 64.52% | |
[edit] See also
Arkansas Elections
- Arkansas state elections, 2006
- Arkansas gubernatorial election, 2006
- United States House of Representatives elections in Arkansas, 2008
- United States Senate election in Arkansas, 2008
- United States presidential election in Arkansas, 2008
[edit] External links
- The initiative in full text
- Arkansas Unmarried Couple Adoption Ban (2008) ballotpedia.org
- Family Council (Supportive)
- Arkansas Families First (Opposition)
- Cole v. Arkansas - Case Profile (ACLU challenge to Act 1)
- The Money Behind the 2008 Same-Sex Partnership Ballot Measures - National Institute on Money in State Politics
[edit] References
- ^ Attorney General OKs Second Gay Adoption Ban Times Record Online. Thursday, November 8, 2007
- ^ Arkansas: Adoption Law is Challenged New York Times Online. December 31, 2008
- ^ State judge overturns Ark. adoption ban law
- ^ State Supreme Court strikes down adoption ban
- ^ "Statewide Results of Election (2008)". http://www.arelections.org/index.php?ac:show:contest_statewide=1&elecid=181&contestid=5.
