The "Online Voter Registration Act of 2025" seeks to implement an online voter registration system in Arkansas, amending various sections of the Arkansas Constitution, particularly Amendment 51. The act assigns the Secretary of State the responsibility to prepare and manage online voter registration application forms, which will be available at no cost. These forms can be utilized for initial voter registration as well as for updates to name, address, or party affiliation. The legislation emphasizes the necessity of security measures to safeguard applicant information and maintain the integrity of the voter registration process.

Additionally, the bill introduces new identification requirements for first-time voters registering by mail or online, mandating that they provide an identification document unless it was previously submitted with their registration application. It also specifies that discrepancies found by the county board of election commissioners in absentee applications will result in the absentee ballot not being counted. If first-time voters fail to provide the required identification, their absentee ballot will be classified as a provisional ballot. The act is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1035 V2 - 1-16-2025 04:09 PM: 7-5-201(e), 7-5-305(a), 7-5-412(a), 7-5-416(b)
Old version HB1035 V3 - 1-23-2025 09:41 AM: 7-5-201(e), 7-5-305(a), 7-5-412(a), 7-5-416(b)
Old version HB1035 Original - 11-20-2024 03:06 PM: 7-5-201(e), 7-5-305(a), 7-5-412(a), 7-5-416(b)
HB 1035: 7-5-201(e), 7-5-305(a), 7-5-412(a), 7-5-416(b)