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HB 1037

AN ACT TO CREATE THE PREREGISTRATION TO VOTE ACT; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, § 19.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Collins and 4 co-sponsors

House Bill 1037 allows 17-year-olds in Arkansas to preregister to vote, aiming to boost participation and turnout when they reach voting age at 18.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 1037

Summary of House Bill 1037: Preregistration to Vote Act

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1037, titled the Preregistration to Vote Act, was introduced to amend Arkansas law regarding voter registration. The primary goal of the bill was to allow individuals who are seventeen (17) years old to preregister to vote, enabling them to be added to the voter rolls before they reach the legal voting age of eighteen (18). The bill aimed to enhance voter participation in Arkansas, which ranks low in both voter registration and turnout.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several significant changes to the Arkansas Constitution, specifically Amendment 51, to facilitate preregistration:

  1. Eligibility for Preregistration:

    • Individuals who are seventeen (17) years old and meet other eligibility criteria could preregister to vote.
    • They would not be allowed to vote until they turn eighteen.

  2. Amendments to Voter Registration Language:

    • Changes were made to the language in Amendment 51 to reflect the new preregistration option, including:
      • Modifying the voter registration application forms to include questions about being seventeen (17) years of age or older.
      • Adding a new subsection that specifies the conditions under which a seventeen-year-old can register.

  3. Voter Registration Lists:

    • The bill required that the voter registration lists maintained by the Permanent Registrars include individuals who preregistered at the age of seventeen, with a designation indicating they are not eligible to vote until they turn eighteen.

Impact

If enacted, the Preregistration to Vote Act would have affected:
- Young Voters: Seventeen-year-olds would have the opportunity to preregister, potentially increasing their likelihood of voting once they reach the legal age.
- Voter Turnout: The bill was based on research suggesting that preregistration can lead to higher voter turnout, benefiting both political parties equally.
- Election Administration: Changes to how voter registration lists are managed and reported would have implications for election officials and the overall electoral process in Arkansas.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: November 20, 2024
  • Amendments Adopted:
    • Amendment No. 1 on January 16, 2025
    • Amendment No. 2 on March 20, 2025
  • Died in Committee: May 5, 2025, at Sine Die adjournment

Despite its introduction and subsequent amendments, HB 1037 ultimately did not progress beyond the committee stage and was not enacted into law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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