The bill amends existing laws regarding the delivery and application process for absentee ballots in Arkansas. It specifies that applications for absentee ballots must be delivered to applicants with the application blank, excluding information that can be automatically populated from the voter registration system. Additionally, it mandates that no voter selections shall be pre-filled on the absentee ballot application. The bill also requires that if an applicant receives assistance in filling out the application, the assistant must provide their name, address, and signature on the application. Furthermore, it introduces a new requirement for the application form to include a statement indicating whether the voter received assistance and the details of the person providing that assistance.

Moreover, the bill revises the conditions under which absentee ballots can be delivered to individuals other than the absentee voter. It eliminates the previous requirement for the person picking up the ballot to provide current and valid photographic identification, instead allowing for a broader range of identification documents. The bill also establishes penalties for individuals who purposely violate specific provisions related to absentee ballot applications, classifying such violations as a Class A misdemeanor. These changes aim to enhance the integrity and accessibility of the absentee voting process in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1411 V2 - 2-16-2023 09:36 AM: 7-5-404(a), 7-5-405(a), 7-5-409(d), 7-5-409
Old version HB1411 V3 - 2-22-2023 10:26 AM: 7-5-404(a), 7-5-405(a), 7-5-409(d), 7-5-409
HB 1411: 7-5-404(a), 7-5-405(a), 7-5-409(d), 7-5-409
Act 320: 7-5-404(a), 7-5-405(a), 7-5-409(d), 7-5-409