Arkansas has been named the top state in America for protecting religious liberty, according to the First Liberty Institute’s Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy (CRCD).
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Tuesday that Arkansas earned the highest score in the nation—89.2%—on the Religious Liberty in the States (RLS) Index, making it 1 of only 2 states to receive the organization’s first-ever “excellent” rating.
The index measures how well states protect religious freedom through 50 legal protections across 20 categories, including education, healthcare, family law, economic activity, and the free exercise of religion.
Governor Sanders said Arkansas’ ranking reflects the state’s commitment to protecting what she called America’s “First Freedom.”
“Religious liberty is America’s First Freedom, and Arkansas is leading the nation in protecting it,” Sanders said. “Our rights come from God, not government, and every American should be free to live according to their faith and conscience.”
The governor said Arkansas will continue defending religious freedom while making the Natural State “the best place in the country to live, work, and worship.”
Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO and Chief Counsel of the First Liberty Institute, credited Arkansas leaders for taking proactive steps to strengthen religious liberty protections before conflicts arise.
He said the state’s top ranking should encourage lawmakers across the nation to adopt similar protections for people of faith.
The report notes Arkansas climbed from 6th place in 2025 to 1st place in 2026 after Governor Sanders signed Act 677, legislation designed to strengthen protections for individuals and institutions that recognize biological sex distinctions and hold religious beliefs regarding biological sex and marriage.
The report also cited Sanders’ defense of keeping state offices closed for Christmas after criticism from activist groups, saying public recognition of faith traditions helps ensure diverse religious communities feel represented.
In addition, Arkansas’ ranking reflects the Conscience Protection Act, signed by Sanders in 2023, which expanded protections allowing Arkansans to live and work according to their religious beliefs by strengthening the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
According to the CRCD, the annual index is intended to help citizens and lawmakers identify areas where states are protecting religious liberty and where additional legal safeguards could be adopted.
With its new ranking, Arkansas now leads the nation in the organization’s evaluation of state-level religious liberty protections.
