The bill amends existing laws regarding the marking and counting of paper ballots in Arkansas elections. It introduces new requirements for paper ballots, mandating that each ballot intended for hand counting must feature either a watermark or an ultraviolet ink seal, with a unique placement for each election cycle. Additionally, the bill modifies the procedures for counting paper ballots, stipulating that poll workers must complete the hand count at least 24 hours before the certification deadline. If the hand count is not finished in time, the machine tabulated results will be certified instead.

Furthermore, the bill provides provisions for poll workers in the event of illness or incapacitation, ensuring that the counting process can continue with a minimum of four available workers. It also allows for exemptions from the requirement to count to completion if the paper ballots are securely sealed and stored in a locked room under the supervision of a sheriff's deputy. These changes aim to enhance the integrity and security of the election process in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
HB 1884: 7-5-601(i), 7-5-603(4)