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Bill

HB 1036

TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION; TO ALLOW VOTER REGISTRATION DURING EARLY VOTING AND ON ELECTION DAY; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51.

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

HB 1036 aimed to enhance voter access in Arkansas by allowing same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day, benefiting voters who missed deadlines.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1036

Summary of House Bill 1036

Bill Number: HB 1036
Title: To Amend the Law Concerning Voter Registration; To Allow Voter Registration During Early Voting and on Election Day; and To Amend Provisions of Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51.
Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: November 20, 2024
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1036 aimed to modify existing voter registration laws in Arkansas by allowing individuals to register to vote during early voting periods and on Election Day. The bill sought to amend provisions of the Arkansas Constitution, specifically Amendment 51, to facilitate more accessible voter registration processes.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several significant changes to the voter registration process:

  1. Voter Registration During Early Voting and Election Day:

    • Allowed individuals to register to vote in person at early voting locations and polling sites on Election Day.

  2. Amendments to Voter Registration Deadlines:

    • Modified the existing voter registration deadlines to permit registration during the early voting period and on Election Day, while maintaining the thirty-day pre-election registration cut-off for subsequent elections.

  3. Processing of Voter Registration Applications:

    • Required various agencies to transmit completed voter registration applications to the Secretary of State within specified timeframes, ensuring timely processing.

  4. Assistance with Voter Registration:

    • Established guidelines for third-party organizations assisting with voter registration, including deadlines for submitting applications to the appropriate registrars.

  5. Updating Voter Registration:

    • Allowed voters to update their registration information in person during early voting or on Election Day, ensuring they could vote in their new precinct if the update was received by the county clerk within four days before the election.

Affected Parties

  • Voters: The primary beneficiaries of this bill would have been Arkansas voters, particularly those who may have missed the traditional registration deadlines.
  • Election Officials: Changes would have impacted how election officials manage and process voter registrations, particularly during peak voting periods.

Procedural Aspects

  • Timeline: The bill was introduced on November 20, 2024, and underwent several readings and amendments before ultimately dying in committee on May 5, 2025.
  • Amendments: An amendment was adopted on January 16, 2025, which included additional sponsors and made minor adjustments to the bill's language.

Conclusion

While HB 1036 aimed to enhance voter accessibility in Arkansas by allowing same-day registration, it ultimately did not progress beyond the committee stage. The proposed changes reflected ongoing discussions about improving voter participation and streamlining the registration process in the state.

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

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