SB250
To Amend The Law Concerning Paper Ballots; To Amend The Law Concerning Marking And Counting Paper Ballots; To Amend The Law Concerning The Declaration Of Election Results; And To Declare An Emergency.
Last Action (March 24, 2023): Notification that SB250 is now Act 350
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
Senate Bill 250 amends Arkansas election law regarding the use, processing, and counting of paper ballots. The bill requires that all paper ballots be compatible with state-approved electronic tabulation devices and mandates that even in counties utilizing hand-counted paper ballots, those ballots must first be processed through a tabulation device. It places the financial responsibility for printing, tabulation equipment, and accessibility compliance on counties that choose to use paper ballots instead of standard voting machines. The bill sets a 24-hour deadline for the completion of ballot counting after polls close and requires the continuous processing of ballots. Additionally, it establishes new requirements for counties to declare and transmit preliminary election results to the Secretary of State within 24 hours. The bill includes an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately upon becoming law.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill are proponents of standardized election reporting and those who advocate for the dual-layer verification of votes, as the bill requires both electronic tabulation and hand counting. Election officials and the Secretary of State benefit from more uniform reporting timelines and procedures across counties. Voters in counties that choose to use paper ballots benefit from the explicit mandate that those counties must maintain compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal accessibility standards.
Who Might Suffer?
Counties are the primary group negatively impacted by this legislation, as they are now solely responsible for the costs associated with paper ballot printing, equipment acquisition, and ensuring accessibility compliance. Smaller or rural counties with limited budgets may face financial strain or logistical difficulties in meeting the strict 24-hour counting deadlines and the requirement to operate both electronic tabulators and manual count processes. Additionally, poll workers and local election boards may experience increased operational pressure due to the mandated continuous counting requirements and the tightened timelines for result reporting.
Vote Records
Third Reading
March 15, 2023View individual votes (100)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Allen | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Lane Jean | Republican | House | Yea |
| Stephen Meeks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mark Perry | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jon Eubanks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matthew Shepherd | Republican | House | NV |
| Jeff Wardlaw | Republican | House | Yea |
| Bruce Cozart | Republican | House | Yea |
| David Whitaker | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Deborah Ferguson | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Charlene Fite | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mike Holcomb | Republican | House | Yea |
| Stephen Magie | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Mark McElroy | Republican | House | Nay |
| Josh Miller | Republican | House | NV |
| Richard Womack | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jack Ladyman | Republican | House | NV |
| Robin Lundstrum | Republican | House | Yea |
| Dwight Tosh | Republican | House | Yea |
| Lanny Fite | Republican | House | Yea |
| Grant Hodges | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rick Beck | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mary Bentley | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Eaves | Republican | House | Yea |
| Justin Gonzales | Republican | House | Yea |
| Julie Mayberry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ken Ferguson | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Ron Mcnair | Republican | House | Yea |
| Milton Nicks | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Marcus Richmond | Republican | House | NV |
| Vivian Flowers | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Deann Vaught | Republican | House | Yea |
| Karilyn Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Sonia Eubanks Barker | Republican | House | Yea |
| Frances Cavenaugh | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jack Fortner | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jimmie Gazaway | Republican | House | Nay |
| Roger Lynch | Republican | House | Yea |
| John Maddox | Republican | House | Yea |
| Aaron Pilkington | Republican | House | Yea |
| Johnny Rye | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Warren | Republican | House | Yea |
| Danny Watson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Carlton Wing | Republican | House | Yea |
| Austin Mccollum | Republican | House | Yea |
| Carol Dalby | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steve Hollowell | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brian Evans | Republican | House | Yea |
| Lee Johnson | Republican | House | Nay |
| Andrew Collins | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Stan Berry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Harlan Breaux | Republican | House | Yea |
| Cameron Cooper | Republican | House | Nay |
| Nicole Clowney | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Cindy Crawford | Republican | House | Nay |
| Denise Garner | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Tippi McCullough | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jay Richardson | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jamie Scott | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jim Wooten | Republican | House | Yea |
| Denise Ennett | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Richard McGrew | Republican | House | NV |
| Joy Springer | Democrat | House | NV |
| Howard Beaty | Republican | House | Yea |
| Tony Furman | Republican | House | Nay |
| Kendon Underwood | Republican | House | Yea |
| David Ray | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mark Berry | Republican | House | Yea |
| John Carr | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rick McClure | Republican | House | Yea |
| Keith Brooks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Delia Haak | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ashley Hudson | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jon Milligan | Republican | House | Yea |
| RJ Hawk | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wade Andrews | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rebecca Burkes | Republican | House | Yea |
| DeAnna Hodges | Republican | House | Yea |
| Hope Duke | Republican | House | Yea |
| Zack Gramlich | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mindy McAlindon | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matt Duffield | Republican | House | Yea |
| Stetson Painter | Republican | House | Nay |
| Steve Unger | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wayne Long | Republican | House | Yea |
| Scott Richardson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brandon Achor | Republican | House | NV |
| Jeremiah Moore | Republican | House | Yea |
| Joey Carr | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matt Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Shad Pearce | Republican | House | Yea |
| Chad Puryear | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ryan Rose | Republican | House | Yea |
| Bart Schulz | Republican | House | Yea |
| Trey Steimel | Republican | House | Yea |
| Tara Shephard | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jeremy Wooldridge | Republican | House | Yea |
| Kendra Moore | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brit McKenzie | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steven Walker | Republican | House | Yea |
The Emergency Clause on Senate Bill 250 was adopted.
Feb. 28, 2023View individual votes (35)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jane English | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Linda Chesterfield | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Jonathan Dismang | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Greg Leding | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Missy Irvin | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Bryan King | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Kim Hammer | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Stephanie Flowers | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Frederick Love | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Terry Rice | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Reginald Murdock | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Gary Stubblefield | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Jim Dotson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| John Payton | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Alan Clark | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Ronald Caldwell | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Bart Hester | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jimmy Hickey | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Dan Sullivan | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| David Wallace | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Blake Johnson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Justin Boyd | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clarke Tucker | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Scott Flippo | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clint Penzo | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Mark Johnson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ricky Hill | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Breanne Davis | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ben Gilmore | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Joshua Bryant | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt McKee | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jim Petty | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Steve Crowell | Republican | Senate | Absent |
| Tyler Dees | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt Stone | Republican | Senate | Yea |
Third Reading
Feb. 28, 2023View individual votes (35)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jane English | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Linda Chesterfield | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Jonathan Dismang | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Greg Leding | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Missy Irvin | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Bryan King | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Kim Hammer | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Stephanie Flowers | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Frederick Love | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Terry Rice | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Reginald Murdock | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Gary Stubblefield | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Jim Dotson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| John Payton | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Alan Clark | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Ronald Caldwell | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Bart Hester | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jimmy Hickey | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Dan Sullivan | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| David Wallace | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Blake Johnson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Justin Boyd | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clarke Tucker | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Scott Flippo | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Clint Penzo | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Mark Johnson | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Ricky Hill | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Breanne Davis | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ben Gilmore | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Joshua Bryant | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Matt McKee | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jim Petty | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Steve Crowell | Republican | Senate | Absent |
| Tyler Dees | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt Stone | Republican | Senate | Yea |
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