The proposed legislation, titled "The No-Excuse Absentee Voting Act of 2025," aims to amend existing laws regarding absentee voting in Arkansas by eliminating the qualifications that previously restricted who could vote absentee. Specifically, the bill removes the requirement that voters must provide a valid reason for being unable to attend the polls on election day, allowing any registered voter to cast an absentee ballot without needing to justify their absence. This change is reflected in the amendments to Arkansas Code 7-5-402, which now states that any person possessing the qualifications of an elector may cast an absentee ballot.

Additionally, the bill modifies the application process for absentee ballots, ensuring that once a completed application is received by the county clerk, an absentee ballot will be mailed automatically for each election, rather than requiring a new application for each election cycle. The legislation also introduces a new application form that includes a sworn statement confirming the voter's registration status, which must be executed under penalty of perjury. Overall, the bill seeks to simplify the absentee voting process and increase voter accessibility in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1038 Original - 11-20-2024 03:13 PM: 7-5-402, 7-5-404(b)
Old version HB1038 V2 - 1-16-2025 03:45 PM: 7-5-402, 01-16-2025, 7-5-404(b)
HB 1038: 7-5-402, 7-5-404(b)