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HB 1753

TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION; TO OPT-OUT OF THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 1993; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, § 5.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Wayne Long

HB 1753 allows Arkansas to opt-out of federal voter registration requirements, reducing automatic registrations and potentially lowering voter participation rates.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1753

Summary of House Bill 1753 (HB 1753)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1753 (HB 1753) was introduced to amend the law concerning voter registration in Arkansas. The primary intent of the bill was to opt-out of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) and to modify the requirements for voter registration applications provided by various state agencies.

Key Provisions

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

  1. Opt-Out of NVRA:

    • The bill aimed to officially opt-out of the NVRA, which mandates that certain state agencies provide voter registration opportunities when individuals apply for services such as driver's licenses or public assistance.

  2. Changes to Voter Registration Application Process:

    • Voter registration agencies would only be required to provide voter registration application forms upon request from the applicant, rather than automatically supplying them.
    • The bill removed the requirement for agencies to ask applicants if they wished to opt-out of voter registration.

  3. Agencies Affected:

    • The bill would impact various voter registration agencies, including:
      • State Revenue Offices and the Office of Driver Services
      • Public assistance agencies
      • Disabilities agencies
      • Recruitment offices of the Armed Forces
      • Public libraries
      • Offices of the Arkansas National Guard

  4. Implementation Requirements:

    • The Arkansas Integrated Revenue System (AIRS) would require modifications at an estimated cost of $28,000.
    • Updates to the Office of Motor Vehicle manual and the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) website would be necessary.
    • Training sessions for relevant agency staff would be conducted to ensure compliance with the new provisions.

Impact

  • Voter Registration Process: The changes proposed in HB 1753 would likely reduce the number of individuals automatically registered to vote when seeking services from state agencies, potentially leading to lower voter registration rates.
  • Agencies' Responsibilities: Agencies would have a reduced obligation to provide voter registration forms, which could streamline their processes but may also limit access to voter registration for some individuals.

Procedural Aspects

  • Introduced: March 12, 2025
  • Legislative Actions:
    • The bill was read for the first time, rules were suspended, and it was read a second time before being referred to the Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs.
    • Status: The bill died in the House Committee at Sine Die adjournment on May 5, 2025.

Conclusion

HB 1753 sought to amend Arkansas's voter registration laws by opting out of federal requirements and changing how voter registration applications are distributed. While it aimed to simplify processes for state agencies, it raised concerns about potential impacts on voter registration accessibility.

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

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