Independence County Repeals Voter-Approved Paper Ballot Measure

Citing state Supreme Court ruling, county officials say voters will use electronic machines in March 3 election

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The Independence County Quorum Court voted to repeal a voter-approved ordinance that required hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots, citing a recent Arkansas Supreme Court ruling that found the initiative petition process was unconstitutional. The county will now continue using its previous electronic voting system for the upcoming March 3 election.

Why it matters

The repeal of the voter-approved paper ballot measure in Independence County highlights the ongoing debate around election integrity and the balance between voter-approved initiatives and compliance with state laws and court rulings. The decision raises questions about the role of direct democracy and the power of local governments to overturn the will of voters.

The details

In November 2024, Independence County voters approved an ordinance 8,309 to 5,184 that required hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots. However, in December 2025, the county's Quorum Court voted to repeal the ordinance, citing a recent Arkansas Supreme Court ruling in Evans v. Harrison that found initiative petitions must be filed between 60 and 90 days before an election. The county determined that most of the petition signatures supporting the 2024 ballot measure were submitted outside of that window, meaning the measure should not have been certified for the ballot in the first place.

  • In November 2024, Independence County voters approved the paper ballot ordinance.
  • On August 6, 2024, a majority of the petition signatures supporting the ballot measure were submitted.
  • On August 22, 2024, the county clerk certified the petition after determining it had sufficient signatures.
  • On October 30, 2025, the Arkansas Supreme Court issued its ruling in Evans v. Harrison.
  • On December 11, 2025, the Independence County Quorum Court voted to repeal the paper ballot ordinance.

The players

Independence County Quorum Court

The legislative body of Independence County, Arkansas that voted to repeal the voter-approved paper ballot ordinance.

Kevin Jeffery

The Independence County Judge who cited the Arkansas Supreme Court ruling as the reason for the Quorum Court's decision to repeal the paper ballot ordinance.

Bryan Norris

The leader of the petition effort that resulted in the 2024 paper ballot measure, who is now a Republican candidate for Arkansas Secretary of State and criticized the Quorum Court's decision to repeal the ordinance.

Arkansas Supreme Court

The state's highest court, which issued a ruling in Evans v. Harrison that found initiative petitions must be filed between 60 and 90 days before an election, leading to the repeal of the Independence County paper ballot measure.

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What they’re saying

“A recent ruling by the Arkansas Supreme Court found the 2024 paper ballot issue was outside the legal parameters as detailed by the Arkansas Constitution. The Justices of the Peace expressed the need to uphold their Oath of Office to uphold the Arkansas Constitution. This action by the Quorum Court did not bring into question the legality of any ballot method, but rather upheld the Supreme Court ruling that proper procedure wasn't followed during the initiative petition process.”

— Kevin Jeffery, Independence County Judge (White River Now)

“The Quorum Court respects the citizens who participated in the initiative process and the voters who weighed in at the ballot box; At the same time, each member of the Quorum Court is bound by the Arkansas Constitution and the Arkansas Supreme Court's interpretation of it.”

— Independence County Quorum Court (Independence County Press Release)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the tension between voter-approved initiatives and compliance with state laws and court rulings, raising questions about the balance of power between local governments and direct democracy. It also underscores the importance of initiative petition processes adhering strictly to constitutional requirements.