The Arkansas Absentee Voter Integrity Act of 2025 aims to enhance the integrity and transparency of absentee voting by amending existing laws related to the counting of absentee ballots and the responsibilities of election officials. Key provisions include stipulating that absentee ballots must be tabulated no earlier than 8:30 a.m. on election day and ensuring that the counting process is open to public observation. The act requires election officials to compare absentee ballot materials to verify voter identity and eligibility, and introduces a provisional ballot designation for absentee ballots that do not meet specific criteria. Additionally, it outlines the responsibilities of county election officials in processing absentee ballots, including reporting counts of absentee applications and ballots received.

The bill also establishes criteria for when an absentee ballot may be designated as provisional, such as discrepancies in signatures or addresses, and allows voters to "cure" their provisional ballots by providing necessary information or correcting issues by a specified deadline. Election officials are mandated to notify voters of the status of their provisional ballots and the steps needed to ensure their votes are counted. Furthermore, the legislation introduces new rules for the State Board of Election Commissioners regarding the maintenance and storage of absentee ballot materials, emphasizing the importance of securing these materials to prevent tampering while ensuring compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. The rules are to be finalized and filed by January 1, 2026, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

Statutes affected:
SB 247: 7-5-416, 7-5-202, 7-5-701, 7-5-701(a)