Independent candidates asked Gov. Asa Hutchinson to reduce the signature threshold that they must obtain on petitions to qualify for the November ballot, noting hardships arising from his covid-19 public health emergency declaration.
More than two weeks after sending letters by certified and registered mail, they're still waiting for an answer, according to Dan Whitfield, an independent U.S. Senate candidate from Bella Vista.
"We haven't gotten any response at all. No mail, no emails, no phone call. They basically pretended like they didn't get the letter at all," he said.
With the May 1 deadline approaching and Hutchinson's public health emergency declaration still in place, they've hired a attorney in an attempt to gain ballot access.
James Linger of Tulsa has successfully challenged Arkansas' election laws before, representing the Libertarian Party of Arkansas as it sought access to the state ballot.
