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Debate in Arkansas over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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These pages were updated from March 2020 through June 2020 and do not contain the latest commentary available. To submit arguments for inclusion on this page, email editor@ballotpedia.org. To learn how Ballotpedia decides which arguments to feature, click here.


Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America's political and civic life. In addition to monitoring federal, state, and local responses to the coronavirus, we are also capturing the nationwide and local debates on whether to extend or lift coronavirus-related restrictions affecting the economy, schools, government operations, public health, religious services, and travel.

These arguments come from a variety of sources, including public officials, journalists, think tanks, economists, scientists, and other stakeholders. We encourage you to share the debates happening in your local community to editor@ballotpedia.org.


This article covers the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Arkansas in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find the following:


Debate over stay-at-home orders in Arkansas

See also: Debate over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the stay-at-home order in Arkansas.

  • Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) (CNN): "We want to take the long-term approach to this and you're not going to win simply by a lockdown. We have masks and social distancing and the people of Arkansas have embraced that. That gives you success. If we need to do more, we will do more." - "Arkansas governor defends no stay-at-home statewide order as 'successful'," April 12, 2020.

  • State Rep. Denise Garner (D) (Baxter Bulletin): "We need to act decisively now, so that we can minimize the duration and long-term impact of this virus. While our efforts so far have made some difference and have been well intentioned, it’s clear that far too many people are disregarding guidance to stay home and avoid crowds. Arkansas needs to focus on shutting down all but essential activities, providing food and economic support to people for the duration of the crisis, and then on rebuilding and restarting our economy. With each day we delay, we are making our own crisis worse." - "Arkansas Governor: State does not need coronavirus stay-at-home order," April 2, 2020.


Debate over abortion in Arkansas

See also: Debate over abortion during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders regarding the operation of abortion clinics and the performing of abortions amid the coronavirus pandemic in Arkansas.

On April 3, 2020, the Arkansas Department of Health published a directive ordering medical procedures to be postponed unless necessary to prevent death, permanent physical damage, or disease advancement. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (R) said the order applies to "any type of abortion that is not immediately medically necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother."

The ACLU and Little Rock Family Planning Services filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas on April 13, 2020. On April 14, 2020, federal judge Kristine Baker temporarily blocked the Arkansas Department of Health order. Baker wrote that plaintiffs "are likely to prevail on their argument that the Challenged Provisions unconstitutionally restrict pre-viability abortions and, therefore, are facially unconstitutional."[1]

  • Lawyers for the ACLU and Arkansas abortion providers (CNN): On April 27, 2020, the Arkansas Department of Health released a directive requiring those seeking elective medical procedures, including abortions, to obtain at least one negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours prior to the procedure. Arkansas abortion providers and the American Civil Liberties Union sued state officials, arguing that the directive prohibits women seeking abortions from exercising their constitutional rights to abortion.

    "Delaying abortion care across the board for a COVID-19 test is especially unwarranted in view of Arkansas's otherwise permissive approach to letting individuals mix and mingle in restaurants and gyms without negative COVID tests. For women who cannot obtain access to COVID-19 NAAT testing within 48-hours of their procedures, the Directive entirely bars them from exercising their constitutional right to receive pre-viability abortion care in Arkansas." - "ACLU and abortion providers sue Arkansas over order requiring negative Covid-19 test before elective medical procedures," May 1, 2020.

  • Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge Communications Director Amanda Priest (CNN): "[Attorney General Rutledge] stands ready to defend the Arkansas Health Department's directive which provides reasonable standards to implement surgical abortions and other medically elective procedures." - "ACLU and abortion providers sue Arkansas over order requiring negative Covid-19 test before elective medical procedures," May 1, 2020.

  • Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge Communications Director Amanda Priest (KTBS): "Attorney General Rutledge is extremely disappointed in today’s decision to blatantly disregard good public health guidelines and temporarily halt the Health Department’s directive without allowing the State to be heard." - "Federal judge blocks Arkansas surgical abortion virus ban," April 14, 2020.

  • Holly Dickson, interim executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas (KTBS): "The state’s action had nothing to do with public health, and everything to do with politicians using the pandemic as an excuse to violate the constitution and further their extreme agenda." - "Federal judge blocks Arkansas surgical abortion virus ban," April 14, 2020.


Debate over school closures in Arkansas

See also: Debate over school closures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on school closures in Arkansas.

We have not yet identified any statements related to this topic or state. To suggest a statement, email us.


Debate over religious service restrictions in Arkansas

See also: Debate over religious service restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on religious service restrictions in Arkansas.

We have not yet identified any statements related to this topic or state. To suggest a statement, email us.


Debate over election policy in Arkansas

See also: Debate over election policies and procedures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on election policies in Arkansas.

  • John Thurston, AR Secretary of State (Arkansas Democrat Gazette): Arkansas residents sued the state to uphold no-excuse absentee voting. Secretary of State John Thurston declined.

    "Given where we are at with the COVID-19 pandemic, those county officials have conveyed to my office that they feel the current voting system will be adequate in November. Our office will continue to work with each county to provide supplies and resources to ensure that the upcoming Presidential election is safe and secure." - "Mail-in voting focus of suit filed in state," June 24, 2020.


Responses to the coronavirus in Arkansas

See also: Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Arkansas)

Click the links below for more on responses to the coronavirus pandemic in Arkansas.

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ ACLU, "TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER IN LITTLE ROCK FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES ET AL V. RUTLEDGE ET AL," accessed April 21, 2020
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