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 the necessity to read or have read the ballot title in the presence of a canvasser before signing. Additionally, canvassers are now mandated to inform potential petitioners that petition fraud is a criminal offense prior to obtaining their 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 without the required disclosures.

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 clarifies 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 obtained lawfully and transparently.

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