Signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires presenting identification in order to vote.

Highlights:

• Requires a provisional ballot cast by a voter who did not present identification to be counted if (Sec. 1):

• The voter returns to the county board of election commissioners by noon on the Monday following the election and presents identification; and

• The county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional ballot is invalid and should not be counted based on other grounds.

• Requires a provisional ballot cast by an absentee voter who failed to submit with an absentee ballot documentation to be counted if (Sec. 1):

• The voter returns to the county board of election commissioners by noon on the Monday following the election and presents identification; and

• The county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional ballot is invalid and should not be counted based on other grounds.

• Requires the State Board of Election Commissioners to publicize the rules necessary to implement this act (Sec. 2).

• Establishes the following provisional ballot procedures (Sec. 3):

• Unless a provisional ballot is cast using a ballot marking device, the poll worker shall initial the back of the ballot, remove the ballot stub from the ballot, and place the stub in the box provided;

• The voter shall mark their provisional ballot;

• The voter shall place the voted provisional ballot in a provisional ballot secrecy envelope and seal the envelope;

• The voter shall place the sealed ballot envelope in a voter envelope, seal it, and give it to the poll worker;

• The poll worker shall provide the voter written information instructing them on how to determine whether their ballot was counted; and

• The poll worker shall make a separate list of the names and addresses of all persons voting a provisional ballot, and each person voting a provisional ballot shall sign their name on the list.

• Requires a provisional ballot to be counted if the following are met (Sec. 4):

• The voter returns to the county board of election commissioners by noon on the Monday following the election and presents an identification card; and

• The county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional ballot is invalid and should not be counted on other grounds.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires presenting identification in order to vote.

Highlights:

• Requires a provisional ballot cast by a voter who did not present identification to be counted if (Sec. 1):

• The voter returns to the county board of election commissioners by noon on the Monday following the election and presents identification; and

• The county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional ballot is invalid and should not be counted based on other grounds.

• Requires a provisional ballot cast by an absentee voter who failed to submit with an absentee ballot documentation to be counted if (Sec. 1):

• The voter returns to the county board of election commissioners by noon on the Monday following the election and presents identification; and

• The county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional ballot is invalid and should not be counted based on other grounds.

• Requires the State Board of Election Commissioners to publicize the rules necessary to implement this act (Sec. 2).

• Establishes the following provisional ballot procedures (Sec. 3):

• Unless a provisional ballot is cast using a ballot marking device, the poll worker shall initial the back of the ballot, remove the ballot stub from the ballot, and place the stub in the box provided;

• The voter shall mark their provisional ballot;

• The voter shall place the voted provisional ballot in a provisional ballot secrecy envelope and seal the envelope;

• The voter shall place the sealed ballot envelope in a voter envelope, seal it, and give it to the poll worker;

• The poll worker shall provide the voter written information instructing them on how to determine whether their ballot was counted; and

• The poll worker shall make a separate list of the names and addresses of all persons voting a provisional ballot, and each person voting a provisional ballot shall sign their name on the list.

• Requires a provisional ballot to be counted if the following are met (Sec. 4):

• The voter returns to the county board of election commissioners by noon on the Monday following the election and presents an identification card; and

• The county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional ballot is invalid and should not be counted on other grounds.

Full Bill Text