The proposed legislation, known as the "No-Excuse Absentee Voting Act of 2025," aims to amend existing laws regarding absentee voting in Arkansas by eliminating the qualifications that voters must meet to cast an absentee ballot. Specifically, the bill removes the requirement that voters must be unavoidably absent, unable to attend due to illness or disability, or prevented from voting due to religious observance. Instead, it establishes that any person who is an elector may cast an absentee ballot without needing to provide a specific reason.

Additionally, the bill modifies the application process for absentee ballots. It stipulates that once a county clerk receives a completed application, they must mail an absentee ballot no later than 25 days before each election. The legislation also introduces a new provision allowing applications for absentee ballots to remain valid for one calendar year unless withdrawn by the voter, thereby streamlining the process for voters residing in long-term care facilities or those with disabilities. Overall, the bill seeks to simplify absentee voting and increase accessibility for all voters in Arkansas.

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