By: Jack Roach
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – The Arkansas Primary Election is underway and there are some new voting laws that may affect the communities voting process.
These new laws don’t make any major changes to the already existing laws, but there are some new rules and regulations added. Valid government IDs are the focal point of these changes, because they are now a lot more required across all methods of voting. Namely absentee ballots, assisted voting, and general ballot voting.
“Voters are required to show an approved photo ID that is issued by the state of Arkansas, the federal government, or a post-secondary educational institution or trade school located in Arkansas. The ID has to have their photo and their name on it, and if it has an expiration date, it cannot be expired by more than four years.,” Director of Elections for Washington County Jennifer Price said.
Assisted voters must now have someone over the age of 18 with a valid ID assist them in the voting process as well as sign paperwork. Absentee voters are also required to provide their ID when they return the ballot. If their ID is not provided, they will have until noon on the Monday following the election to provide it. In the specific case of absentee voters that are “unavoidably absent”, they must have a witness over the age of 18 sign their voter statement.
“However, there is no penalty for that voter who fails to include a witness signature on that absentee application or voter statement,” Price said.
There is a failsafe for those that may not have access to their valid ID. Provisional ballots allow these voters to vote on election day or during early voting, and then return to the clerk’s office at a later date with their ID to secure their vote.
“We always have something in place that protects the voter,” Price said.
Early voting started on February 17th and will continue through March 2nd. The official Election day starts March 3rd. Access the Arkansas Secretary of State website for more specific information that fits your situation.