Family Council Plans to Educate, Equip Voters on 2022 Religious Freedom Amendment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Little Rock, Ark. – On Tuesday, Family Council unveiled a three-pronged strategy for educating Arkansans about a proposed amendment that adds protections for religious liberty to the state’s constitution.
Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement, saying, “Religious liberty is on the ballot in Arkansas this November. Last year, three-quarters of the State House of Representatives and the State Senate voted to place the Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment on the 2022 ballot. In addition to protecting the freedom to worship at a church, synagogue, or mosque, it protects people’s right to peacefully live, speak, and act according to their sincerely-held beliefs. Over the next seven months, Family Council plans to conduct a statewide campaign to educate voters about this proposed amendment to the state constitution. Arkansans need to be able to make an informed decision when they vote this November. We intend to help them do that.”
Cox said Family Council has a three-pronged strategy for educating Arkansans about the amendment. “Our grassroots campaign will consist of three parts. First we are going to inform and activate our existing network of nearly 7,000 households and churches. Second, we plan to work with other like-minded state and national organizations to help them inform and activate people in their spheres of influence. And third, we intend to conduct an extensive earned-media campaign consisting of Arkansas TV, radio, and newspaper as well as a strong online presence. We don’t know of any groups planning to oppose the amendment. If opposition to the amendment develops, we may work with churches to raise funds for a statewide paid-media campaign as well.”
Cox highlighted some of the information that Family Council will share with voters about the proposed amendment ahead of the November election. “The Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment amends the Arkansas Constitution. The measure is similar to a state law that Governor Hutchinson signed in 2015. It would help ensure that state and local laws won’t interfere with the free exercise of religion. It outlines some of the steps Arkansans can take if the government infringes their religious liberty. And it contains exceptions for situations where a compelling government interest is at odds with religious liberty. Those are examples of the kind of information we plan to share with voters between now and November 8.”
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