Alleged fishing boat purchase with state funds
Thurston came under fire in 2018 for spending nearly $30,000 on a 18.5-foot War Eagle model 860LDSV boat for debris removal in state waterways four years prior while serving as Land Commissioner. The boat,which is designed for hunting and fishing and not debris removal,became a problem after it was discovered that it had never been used for official state business, [9] and that Thurston had also "bought clothes to go along with it". [10]
Critics argued it was a wasteful expense. Reports indicated that there were no records of significant inspections or findings from the boat's use,and its utility was questioned,given its limited use and lack of capacity for removing large obstacles,like the sunken barge for which at one point it was believed the boat was purchased. The issue became a focal point in Thurston's campaign for secretary of state,during which his opponent,Susan Inman,highlighted the inefficiency and wastefulness of the boat purchase. [11]
Petition signature rule changes near elections
In the lead up to the 2024 election,Thurston,in his role as secretary of state,rejected legal petitions to add amendments to the November 5 ballot,despite various groups' coordination with his office. He cited inconsistently enforced procedures that had not been followed,and rejected ballot signatures as invalid with little transparency as to why. [12]
Abortion amendment
In July 2024,Arkansas Secretary of State Thurston announced the rejection of petitions submitted to place an abortion rights amendment on the state's November ballot. The amendment sought to protect abortion access within the state constitution,specifically allowing abortion in cases of rape,incest,fatal fetal anomalies,or to safeguard the health of the mother within the first 18 weeks of pregnancy. However,the petitions were disqualified due to technical issues,primarily involving improper documentation regarding paid canvassers. The failure to provide necessary paperwork reduced the number of valid signatures by over 14,000,leaving the total below the required threshold of 90,704 signatures for ballot inclusion. [13]
The group behind the petition,Arkansans for Limited Government (AFLG),had collected more than 100,000 signatures from across 54 counties. Despite their efforts,the Secretary of State's office cited non-compliance with statutory requirements because they did not identify paid canvassers by name nor provide a signed statement confirming that canvassers were given the required documents before collecting signatures.
The group believed it had submitted the paperwork properly and on time as they coordinated closely with Thurston's office throughout the entire process. [12] Despite this,the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled 5–4 against AFLG,holding up Thurston's original claim that they had not followed procedure because they did not submit the paid canvasser training certification on time. [14]
Rejection of marijuana petition signatures
On September 30,2024,Thurston announced that a petition to place a medical marijuana question on the ballot did not have the number of required signatures. [15] The petition,submitted by Arkansans for Patient Access,needed 90,704 valid signatures but only garnered 88,040. The group had initially submitted over 150,000 signatures,but nearly half of them were invalidated by Thurston and his office. The issue arose when certifications for signatures were signed by a hired canvassing company rather than the group itself. Despite the setback,the group plans to file a lawsuit,seeking to challenge the state's decision.
On October 2,2024,the Arkansas Supreme Court overruled Thurston's decision to invalidate the signatures. He was ordered to validate roughly 18,000 signatures that he had previously invalidated. [16]
Dispute over casino initiative
On September 23,2024,Thurston declared that signatures on the casino initiative petition should not be counted. In his request filed with the state Supreme Court,he asked that votes for a November ballot initiative,which could revoke the Pope County casino license,not be counted. The filing argues that the procedures for gathering signatures to place the initiative on the ballot were flawed,citing uncertified and improperly paid canvassers. This aligns with a similar argument made by the current license holder,Cherokee Nation Entertainment,LLC. In contrast,the initiative's sponsor,Local Voters in Charge,contends that procedures were followed and that a special master appointed by the court confirmed sufficient valid signatures. A hearing on the issue has been expedited by the Arkansas Supreme Court. [17]
