The bill amends existing laws regarding the canvassing process for local option elections in Arkansas. Key changes include new requirements for individuals signing petitions, such as needing to read the ballot title in the presence of a canvasser or having it read aloud to them before signing. Additionally, canvassers are now mandated to disclose that petition fraud is a criminal offense prior to obtaining signatures. The bill also introduces stricter penalties for canvassers who fail to comply with these requirements, including a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly accepting signatures without proper verification of the signer's identity or failing to disclose the criminal nature of petition fraud.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that signatures collected by canvassers who violate canvassing laws will not be counted by the county clerk. It requires canvassers to submit a true affidavit certifying compliance with relevant laws before their collected signatures can be counted. The bill also specifies that if a canvasser is unable to submit an affidavit due to death or medical disability, the signatures they gathered will not be disqualified. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance the integrity of the petition process and ensure that all signatures are collected in accordance with the law.

Statutes affected:
SB 551: 3-8-805(a), 3-8-805, 3-8-808(a), 3-8-808, 7-1-101(40), 3-8-811(c), 3-8-811
Act 764: 3-8-805(a), 3-8-805, 3-8-808(a), 3-8-808, 7-1-101(40), 3-8-811(c), 3-8-811