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 allows any registered elector to request an absentee ballot without needing to provide a specific reason for their absence on election day.

Additionally, the bill modifies the application process for absentee ballots. It establishes 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 application form that includes a sworn statement confirming the voter's registration and identity, which must be executed under penalty of perjury. Overall, the bill seeks to simplify the absentee voting process and increase accessibility for 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)