HB1925 would require Arkansas voters submitting absentee ballots to have their voter statement signed in the presence of a witness who is at least 18 years old, and who must also provide their printed name, signature, and mailing address on the ballot envelope. While the bill includes limited exemptions for voters with disabilities, religious observances, or military service, most voters would be subject to this new requirement.
The ACLU of Arkansas opposes HB1925 because it creates an unnecessary and anti-democratic barrier to voting — particularly for elderly, disabled, rural, and low-income voters who may have difficulty securing a witness. Arkansas already has one of the highest absentee ballot rejection rates in the country. This legislation would only increase disenfranchisement and make it harder for eligible voters to have their voices heard.
