Arkansas Senate removes affidavit option from voter identification law

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to legislation making the state's voter ID law stricter by no longer allowing people without identification to cast a ballot if they sign a statement affirming their identity.

The majority-Republican Senate approved the measure by a 25-9 vote, sending it to GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson's desk. The majority-Republican House approved the measure earlier this month. Hutchinson said he'll review the the measure and make a decision on it next week.

Under the state's current law, a voter who doesn't present photo identification but signs a statement can cast a provisional ballot that will be counted unless the county election commission finds it invalid. If enacted, the law will still allow someone without ID to cast a provisional ballot that will be counted only if they present an ID to the county clerk or election board by noon the Monday following the election.

Supporters of the change said it was needed because of the lack of a standard for matching the signature on the affidavit to the voter's registration.

Read more: https://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/arkansas/story/2021/feb/25/arkansas-senate-removes-affidavit-option-voter-indentification-law/861328/