Arkansas Constitution Article 13 - Counties, County Seats and County Lines
Arkansas Constitution – Article 13: Counties, County Seats and County Lines
Article 13 of the Arkansas Constitution governs the structure, organization, and changes to counties, county seats, and county lines within the state. Here's a summary of its main provisions:
Key Sections and Provisions
Section 1: Division of State into Counties
The state of Arkansas is divided into counties for administrative and governmental purposes.
Each county serves as a local government unit with its own officials and responsibilities.
Section 2: Creation of New Counties
New counties can be created only under certain conditions:
Must not reduce any existing county to fewer than 400 square miles.
Must have a population sufficient to support a new county structure.
Requires a majority vote of the qualified electors in the affected area.
Section 3: Change of County Lines
County lines may be changed by a majority vote of the electors in the area affected.
This usually pertains to transferring territory from one county to another.
Section 4: Changing County Seats
The county seat (the administrative center) may be changed only by:
A two-thirds vote of electors in the county.
Followed by a new election if the threshold is not met.
Section 5: Requirements for Petitions
Procedures for submitting petitions related to changing county lines or seats are outlined, including voter thresholds and legal formalities.
Purpose and Significance
This article ensures local control over major county-level decisions.
Protects against arbitrary changes to administrative boundaries or centers.
Maintains geographic and population integrity of counties.
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