This bill aims to enhance voting accessibility in Arkansas by expanding early voting periods and mandating that employers provide paid time off for employees to vote. Specifically, it amends Arkansas Code 7-1-102 to require employers to schedule work hours to allow employees to vote on election day or during early voting. Additionally, it stipulates that registered voters are entitled to eight hours of paid leave to vote during early voting for primary elections, primary runoff elections, and general elections. Employers are prohibited from penalizing employees for taking this time off, and those who fail to comply may face fines ranging from $25 to $250.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the early voting schedule outlined in Arkansas Code 7-5-418(a)(1). It extends the early voting period from fifteen days to thirty days before elections, excluding Sundays. The new hours for early voting will be 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the first fifteen days, and 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the remaining weekdays. Additionally, early voting will now be available on Saturdays and will conclude at 7:00 p.m. on the Monday before the election, ensuring greater access for voters.

Statutes affected:
SB 230: 7-1-102, 7-5-418(a)