Four controversial 2021 Arkansas voting laws now going into effect following state Supreme Court decision
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas voting laws that were on hold for the last two years have been given the green light to go into effect after this week’s decision by the state Supreme Court.
The hold on the laws was caused by years of legal fights that have played out in a circuit court, and then eventually the state supreme court.
Arkansas Supreme Court upholds 2021 voting restrictions that state judge found unconstitutional
The laws were challenged legally in 2021 by the Arkansas League of Women Voters and Arkansas United, who argued that the acts violated the state constitution and would complicate the process of voters casting their ballots.
The four acts now going into effect create a stricter signature-matching process for mail-in ballots, shorter deadlines to turn in absentee ballots, require voters who cast a provisional ballot to provide a photo ID within six days of the election and ban anyone except voters from coming within 100 feet of a polling place, including campaigners and volunteers.
“I think that’s what everyone in Arkansas has to ask themselves… Why? Why are these efforts to limit voting in any way?” State Rep. Tippi Mccullough (D-Little Rock) said. “We have the poorest turnout in any state in the country.”
Those against the laws have argued that this only enhances voter suppression in the state. The state and lawmakers who supported the legislation maintain it’s intended to protect democracy.
“It just makes sense that we would protect the integrity of the election process and the sanctity of each person’s individual vote,” State Rep. David Ray (R-Maumelle) said.
In a statement released by Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office Thursday, he said this decision “is a total victory for Arkansas voters and the security of our elections moving forward.”
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