This bill amends Arkansas law regarding absentee ballots and elections, specifically focusing on the submission of applications and the methods of voting absentee. It modifies the deadlines for submitting absentee ballot applications, changing the deadline from "Friday" to "day" before election day for in-person submissions and for designated bearers and administrators delivering applications. Additionally, it stipulates that applications by mail must be received no later than seven days before the election.

Furthermore, the bill updates the procedures for delivering absentee ballots. It allows designated bearers, administrators, or authorized agents to deliver ballots to the county clerk's office by 7:30 p.m. on election day, provided that proper verification of the voter's signature and the identity of the authorized agent is completed. The previous requirement for ballots to be delivered by the registered voter or designated bearer by the close of business on the Friday before election day has been removed, allowing for more flexibility in ballot submission.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1039 V2 - 1-16-2025 03:30 PM: 7-5-404(a), 7-5-411(a)
Old version HB1039 Original - 11-20-2024 03:15 PM: 7-5-404(a), 7-5-411(a)
HB 1039: 7-5-404(a), 7-5-411(a)