The bill amends existing laws regarding absentee voting in Arkansas to allow individuals over the age of sixty-five to vote by absentee ballot. Specifically, it adds a new qualification for absentee voting, stating that any person who is over sixty-five years of age on election day is eligible to cast an absentee ballot. Additionally, the bill modifies the requirements for county clerks regarding absentee ballot applications, ensuring that applications from voters over sixty-five remain valid for one calendar year unless withdrawn, and mandates that absentee ballots be mailed to these voters for each election within that year.

Furthermore, the bill updates the required statement for requesting an absentee ballot to include a new option for voters to indicate that they are requesting the ballot due to being over sixty-five years of age on election day. It also expands the list of individuals for whom the Secretary of State may prescribe separate absentee ballot application forms to include those over sixty-five. Overall, these changes aim to enhance accessibility to the voting process for older citizens in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
HB 1064: 7-5-402, 7-5-404(b), 7-5-405(a), 7-5-405(b)