Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a uniform process for opening and validating all absentee ballots.

Highlights:

• Establishes the violation of any of the following are deemed misdemeanors punishable as provided in this law (Sec. 1.a):

• It is unlawful for any person to appoint or offer to appoint anyone to any office or position of trust or for any person to influence, attempt to influence, or offer to influence the appointment, nomination, or election of any person to office in consideration of the support or assistance of the person for any candidate in any election in this state;

• It is unlawful for any public servant, to circulate an initiative or referendum petition or to solicit signatures on an initiative or referendum petition in any public office of the state, county, or municipal governments of Arkansas or during the usual office hours or while on duty for any state agency or any county or municipal government in Arkansas; and

• It is unlawful for any public servant, to coerce, by threats or otherwise, any public employee into devoting time or labor toward the campaign of any candidate for office or the nomination to any office.

• Prohibits an election official acting in his or her official capacity from doing any electioneering (Sec. 1-8.A):

• On election day or any day on which early voting is allowed;

• In a building in which voting is taking place; or

• Within 100 ft. of the primary exterior entrance used by voters to a building in which voting is taking place.

• Classifies “electioneering” to include without limitation the following (Sec. (1.C.ii):

• Handing out, distributing, or offering to hand out or distribute campaign literature or literature regarding a candidate, issue, or measure on the ballot;

• Soliciting signatures on a petition;

• Soliciting contributions for a charitable organization;

• Displaying a candidate's name, likeness, or logo;

• Displaying a ballot measure's number title, subject, or logo;

• Displaying or dissemination of buttons, hats, pencils, pens, shirts, signs, or stickers containing electioneering information; and

• Disseminating audible electioneering information.

• Prohibits a person from knowingly (Sec. 1-19):

• Vote, knowing himself or herself not to be entitled to vote;

• Vote more than once at any election or knowingly cast more than 1 ballot or attempt to do so;

• Assisting a voter in marking and casting the voter's ballot;

• Alter or attempt to alter any ballot after it has been cast;

• Add or attempt to add any ballot to those legally polled at any election either by fraudulently introducing it into the ballot box before or after the ballots have been counted or at any other time or in any other manner with the intent or effect of affecting the count or recount of the ballots;

• Withdraw or attempt to withdraw any ballot lawfully polled with the intent or effect of affecting the count or recount of the ballots; or

• In any manner interfere with the officials lawfully conducting the election or the canvass or with the voters lawfully exercising their right to vote at the election.

• Prohibits a person applying to be placed on a ballot for any public office from knowingly providing false information concerning his or her qualifications (Sec. 1-23).

Full Bill Text