HB1038
To Create The No-excuse Absentee Voting Act Of 2025; To Amend The Law Concerning Absentee Voting; And To Repeal Voter Qualifications For Absentee Voting.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, titled the "No-Excuse Absentee Voting Act of 2025," aims to modify existing absentee voting procedures in Arkansas. It proposes to repeal the specific qualifications that voters must meet to cast an absentee ballot, effectively allowing any registered elector to vote by absentee ballot without providing a reason. The bill also amends how absentee ballot applications are processed and their validity periods. For voters residing outside their registered county or in long-term care facilities, applications would remain valid for one year, and absentee ballots would be automatically mailed. Voters with disabilities would also have their applications valid for one year with automatic ballot mailing. The bill specifies that absentee ballot applications will no longer require a notary but will be sworn under penalty of perjury. It also outlines provisions for distributing blank absentee ballot applications and details the required information on these forms, including a perjury warning. The existing reasons for absentee voting, such as unavoidable absence or illness, would no longer be mandatory justifications for requesting an absentee ballot.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be registered voters in Arkansas who wish to vote by absentee ballot. By removing the "excuse" requirement, any voter who prefers to cast their ballot remotely rather than in person on election day would benefit. This includes individuals who may have previously been ineligible to vote absentee due to not meeting specific criteria, such as those who are not unavoidably absent, ill, disabled, or observing a religious holiday that prevents them from voting during polling hours. Additionally, voters who reside outside their county of registration, those in long-term care facilities, and individuals with disabilities would experience a streamlined process with automatic ballot mailing once an application is on file, potentially increasing their participation in elections.
Who Might Suffer?
The groups that could be negatively impacted by this bill are those concerned with election integrity and the potential for increased opportunities for fraud or irregularities. Election officials and administrators may face increased logistical challenges and costs associated with processing a potentially higher volume of absentee ballots and managing applications that are automatically renewed. There could also be concerns from individuals and groups who believe that absentee voting should require specific justifications to ensure its integrity and prevent potential abuse. The removal of specific qualifications could lead to increased scrutiny and debate from those who advocate for stricter voting requirements and may view the "no-excuse" approach as weakening safeguards.