An act TO REQUIRE A STAFF MEMBER TO WITNESS AN 10 ADMINISTRATOR ASSISTING A RESIDENT OF A LONG-TERM 11 RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY WITH ABSENTEE VOTING, the official text

Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.

1 State of Arkansas            As Engrossed: S3/10/25
2 95th General Assembly
                                     A Bill

3 Regular Session, 2025                                            SENATE BILL 299

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5 By: Senator K. Hammer

6 By: Representative A. Brown

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8                              For An Act To Be Entitled

9            AN ACT TO REQUIRE A STAFF MEMBER TO WITNESS AN

10           ADMINISTRATOR ASSISTING A RESIDENT OF A LONG-TERM

11           RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY WITH ABSENTEE VOTING; AND

12           FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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15                                         Subtitle

16                       TO REQUIRE A STAFF MEMBER TO WITNESS AN

17                       ADMINISTRATOR ASSISTING A RESIDENT OF A

18                       LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY WITH

19                       ABSENTEE VOTING.

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21 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:

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23  SECTION 1. Arkansas Code � 7-5-403(d)(3), concerning designated

24 bearers, authorized agents, and administrators, is amended to read as

25 follows:

26           (3)(A) At least one (1) long-term care or residential care

27 facility staff member shall witness the administrator assist the voter by

28 marking a ballot on behalf of the voter without any comment or

29 interpretation.

30                       (B) An administrator may deliver the absentee ballot to

31 the county clerk for any voter who names the administrator on his or her

32 application and voter statement.

33                       (B)(C) Absentee ballots may be delivered to the county

34 clerk in person by the administrator or by mail.

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36  SECTION 2. Arkansas Code � 7-5-403(d)(4)(E), concerning designated

    *SSS117*                                                       03-10-2025 13:49:49 SSS117
    As Engrossed: S3/10/25                       SB299

1 bearers, authorized agents, and administrators for residents of a long-term

2 care facility, is amended to read as follows:

3                  (E) That the administrator understands that Arkansas law

4 requires that at least one (1) long-term care or residential care facility

5 staff member is required to witness the administrator assist the voter by

6 marking or casting a ballot on behalf of the voter without any comment or

7 interpretation.

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9                           /s/K. Hammer

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