ARKANSAS

Arkansas's constitution DOES ALLOW FOR the proposal of constitutional amendment by petition! See a constitutional lawyer about the specifics of executing such a petition. It is advisable to organize around such a petition, to better ensure the acquisition of signatures from all of Arkansas, and coordinate submission of the amendment.

Neither the general assembly nor the governor are empowered to overrule an amendment so proposed. There is nothing any politician can do to stop it going to ballot, and once it is approved by the people of Arkansas, there is nothing any politician can do to stop it going into effect.

It is also plausible to gadfly assemblymen, run for a seat yourself, encourage another to do so, and/or organize a political party to coordinate voting efforts; however, in light of the above, all of this should be unnecessary and it is preferable to focus your efforts on that petition!

Once the amendment gets on the ballot, it is still imperative that you vote. Amendments require a majority of voters to approve it in an election. Do not forget this step.

Again, the needed elements are:

FIRST: A selected legislative branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of senate and representatives - This is the important element. If nothing else is done, this must be.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison control one seat

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

SECOND: A selected executive branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of governor, lieutenant-governor, et al.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison discharge all administrative duties

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

THIRD: A selected judicial branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of judges

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that judges are not permitted to step down

The astute will note I have highlighted one item. This is because, all else failing, a general assembly so composed will reasonably be expected to institute the rest of this form of government, both at the state level and at all levels controlled by state law. If the rest of this cannot be pushed through, that item alone will salvage Arkansas from depredation, and if that item is not present, the rest of this is rather pointless.

Important highlights of the Arkansas constitution are thus:

Article III addresses the mechanism of representative vote.

Section 12 specifies the manner in which representatives shall vote.

Article V empowers the legislative branch.

Section 2 handles the appointment of the House.

Section 3 handles the appointment of the Senate.

Section 12 handles expulsion from the general assembly.

Section 14 also specifies the manner in which representatives shall vote. This will need to be amended jointly with Article III Section 12.

Article VI empowers the executive branch.

Section 1 establishes executive offices.

Section 3 handles the appointment of executive officers.

Section 4 handles the contesting of elections.

Section 14 handles emergency appointment of a vacated gubernatorial office.

Article VII empowers the judicial branch.

Section 6 handles the appointment of Supreme Court judges.

Section 17 handles the appointment of Circuit Court judges.

Section 24 handles the appointment of a prosecuting attorney.

Section 27 empowers the Circuit Court to remove various officials for cause.

Section 29 handles the appointment of County Court judges.

Section 38 handles the appointment of Justices of the Peace.

Section 46 handles the appointment of various judicial officers.

Section 47 handles the appointment of Constables.

Article VIII apportions the general assembly.

Section 1 specifies the number of House Representatives.

Article XV empowers the general assembly to impeach.

All three sections of this article are relevant.

The Schedule refers to the general workings of the election.

Section 26 refers to the election of public officers.

These highlights aren't necessarily complete, and the services of a constitutional lawyer will serve you well.

On the county and city levels, similar changes will need to be made. These matters are handled by law or other parts of the constitution. I have faith that a citizen general assembly in Arkansas will attend to this problem with due urgency and care.