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HB 1038

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nadine Nakamura

House Bill 1038 aimed to simplify absentee voting in Arkansas by allowing no-excuse ballot requests, enhancing accessibility for all registered voters.

Act 039, 05/13/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1139).
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Bill Summary · HB 1038

Summary of House Bill 1038: No-Excuse Absentee Voting Act of 2025

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1038, titled the No-Excuse Absentee Voting Act of 2025, aimed to simplify the absentee voting process in Arkansas by allowing voters to request absentee ballots without needing to provide a specific excuse. The bill sought to amend existing laws regarding absentee voting and to repeal certain voter qualifications that currently restrict absentee ballot access.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several significant changes to the absentee voting process:

  1. No-Excuse Absentee Voting:

    • Voters would be permitted to cast absentee ballots without needing to cite a specific reason for their absence on election day.

  2. Amendments to Voter Qualifications:

    • The bill aimed to repeal existing qualifications that limited absentee voting to specific circumstances, such as being out of the county, illness, or religious observance.

  3. Application Validity:

    • For voters residing outside their registered county, absentee ballot applications would remain valid for one year unless revoked.
    • Voters within their registered county would have applications valid for one election cycle, including any runoff elections.
    • Special provisions for voters in long-term care facilities and those with disabilities were included, allowing their applications to remain valid for one year.

  4. Application Process:

    • The bill outlined requirements for absentee ballot applications, including a sworn statement confirming the voter's registration and identity.
    • It mandated that applications be available at least 60 days before an election.

  5. Automatic Ballot Mailing:

    • County clerks would be required to automatically mail absentee ballots to voters who had submitted valid applications at least 25 days before each election.

Affected Parties

The proposed legislation would have impacted:
- Voters: Making absentee voting more accessible to all registered voters in Arkansas.
- Election Officials: Changing the administrative processes for handling absentee ballot applications and mailings.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: November 20, 2024
  • Amendment Adopted: January 16, 2025
  • Died in Committee: May 5, 2025, at Sine Die adjournment

Despite its introduction and subsequent amendments, House Bill 1038 ultimately did not progress beyond the committee stage and was not enacted into law.

Conclusion

House Bill 1038 represented an effort to enhance voter accessibility in Arkansas by eliminating the need for excuses in absentee voting. While the bill was not passed, it highlighted ongoing discussions about voting rights and the importance of making the electoral process more inclusive.

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

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