Arkansas Senate Bill SB479

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/17/25
• Refer: 3/17/25
• Report Pass: 3/20/25
• Engrossed: 3/31/25
• Refer: 3/31/25
• Report Pass: 4/2/25
• Enrolled: 4/9/25
• Chaptered: 4/14/25
• Passed: 4/14/25

Caption

To Amend The Law Concerning Voter Assistance; And To Require A Person Assisting A Voter With A Disability To Present Identification.

Impact

The implications of SB479 are significant as it introduces a formal identification requirement for assistors of disabled voters. This could potentially create barriers for those who may want to assist, particularly friends or family who might not possess official identification. The amendment aims to improve the security of the voting process by ensuring that all individuals who assist voters are properly identified, thereby reducing the opportunity for voter fraud or misuse of assistance.

Summary

Senate Bill 479 proposes amendments to existing laws regarding voter assistance, particularly for individuals with disabilities. The bill requires that anyone assisting a voter with a disability must present a valid form of identification. This includes documents that meet standards established by the State Board of Election Commissioners. The intent behind this amendment is to ensure the integrity of the voting assistance process and to maintain a controlled environment within polling sites.

Contention

While the bill aims to uphold voting integrity, there are potential points of contention regarding accessibility and the burden it may impose on voters with disabilities and their families. Critics may argue that requiring identification could deter assistors from helping, particularly when those assistors are close relatives or acquaintances. There may also be concerns about the implementation of the rules that the State Board of Election Commissioners would need to establish, especially if these rules do not sufficiently consider the needs of disabled voters and their right to accessible voting assistance.