SB253
To Amend The Law Concerning Damaged Ballots; And To Amend The Law Concerning Election Procedures.
Last Action (April 19, 2023): Notification that SB253 is now Act 460
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
Senate Bill 253 amends Arkansas law regarding the handling and tabulation of damaged or defective ballots that cannot be read by electronic voting machines. The bill establishes a standardized procedure for duplicating these ballots, requiring that a duplicate be created in the presence of an election official and labeled accordingly. It mandates that both the original and duplicate ballots be marked with unique serial numbers and that the original be preserved. The legislation outlines specific steps for processing these ballots at both central counting facilities and polling sites. Additionally, it clarifies that official returns consist of the electronic device output combined with write-in, early, and absentee votes. The overall purpose is to ensure accuracy and transparency in the election tabulation process when physical ballot damage occurs.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are election administrators and county boards of election commissioners, who receive clearer procedural guidance for handling damaged ballots, and the voting public, who benefit from increased transparency and standardized processes designed to ensure that voter intent is accurately captured and counted during the tabulation process.
Who Might Suffer?
Election officials and county staff could be considered negatively impacted in terms of administrative burden, as the bill adds specific procedural requirements—such as serial numbering and mandatory dual-verification—that may increase the time and personnel needed to process ballots on election night.
Vote Records
Third Reading
March 30, 2023View individual votes (100)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Allen | Democrat | House | NV |
| 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 | NV |
| Charlene Fite | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mike Holcomb | Republican | House | Yea |
| Stephen Magie | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Mark McElroy | Republican | House | Yea |
| 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 | NV |
| Ron Mcnair | Republican | House | Yea |
| Milton Nicks | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Marcus Richmond | Republican | House | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | NV |
| Carol Dalby | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steve Hollowell | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brian Evans | Republican | House | Yea |
| Lee Johnson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Andrew Collins | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Stan Berry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Harlan Breaux | Republican | House | NV |
| Cameron Cooper | Republican | House | Yea |
| Nicole Clowney | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Cindy Crawford | Republican | House | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| Joy Springer | Democrat | House | NV |
| Howard Beaty | Republican | House | Yea |
| Tony Furman | Republican | House | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| Steve Unger | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wayne Long | Republican | House | Yea |
| Scott Richardson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brandon Achor | Republican | House | Yea |
| 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 |
Third Reading
March 13, 2023View individual votes (35)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jane English | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Linda Chesterfield | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Jonathan Dismang | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Greg Leding | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Missy Irvin | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Bryan King | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Kim Hammer | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Stephanie Flowers | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Frederick Love | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Terry Rice | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Reginald Murdock | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Gary Stubblefield | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jim Dotson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| John Payton | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Alan Clark | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| Tyler Dees | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt Stone | Republican | Senate | Yea |
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