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 in the case Arkansas Department of Human Services v. Cole.[3] His ruling was upheld unanimously by the Arkansas Supreme Court on April 7, 2011.[4]
Results
edit| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 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 |
See also
editExternal links
edit- 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
References
edit- ^ Attorney General OKs Second Gay Adoption Ban Archived 2007-11-23 at the Wayback Machine 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 Archived 2012-03-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Statewide Results of Election (2008)".
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