Constitution of Arkansas (2025 publisher edition) — Amendment 51: VOTER REGISTRATION

Publisher edition notice: This collection preserves the complete constitutional appendix of the Secretary of State’s 2025 Election Laws and Constitution compilation: its preamble, twenty original articles, schedule and 104 published amendments, including annotations and explicit repealed notices. Repealed notices remain historical publisher context. Later amendments have not been independently verified.

Amendment 51

AMEND. 51. VOTER REGISTRATION
Publisher’s Notes. This amendment was proposed by
initiative petition and approved at the general election on
Nov. 3, 1964, by a vote of 277,087 for and 218,681 against.
Effective Dates.
Const. Amend. 51, § 21: Jan. 1, 1965.
Acts 1987, No. 800, § 3: Apr. 8, 1987. Emergency clause
provided: “It is hereby found and determined by the Gen-
eral Assembly that Section 11 of Amendment 51 to the
Arkansas Constitution requires the Permanent Registrar
to cancel without prior notice, the voter registration of
persons who have failed to vote within four (4) consecutive
years; that it is preferable that voters be notified prior to
cancellation so that they may avoid the cancellation of
their voter registration; that this Act amends Amendment
51 to provide such prior notice and that unless it is given
immediate effect, some voter registration affidavits may be
cancelled without prior notice. Therefore, an emergency is
hereby declared to exist and this Act being necessary for
the preservation of the public peace, health and safety
shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage
and approval.”
Identical Acts 1995, Nos. 947 and 964, § 13: Jan. 1, 1996.
Acts 2003 (2nd Ex. Sess.), No. 8, § 4: Dec. 22, 2003.
Emergency clause provided: “It is found and determined by
the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the
federal Help America Vote Act establishes deadlines for the
state’s compliance with the act’s voter registration require-
ments; and that the immediate passage of this act is
necessary to ensure the state meets its deadlines. There-
fore, an emergency is declared to exist and this act being
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public
peace, health, and safety shall become effective on: (1) The
date of its approval by the Governor; (2) If the bill is neither
approved nor vetoed by the Governor, the expiration of the
period of time during which the Governor may veto the bill;
or (3) If the bill is vetoed by the Governor and the veto is
overridden, the date the last house overrides the veto.”
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§ 1. Statement of policy.
The purpose of this amendment is to establish a system of permanent personal registration as
a means of determining that all who cast ballots in general, special and primary elections in this
State are legally qualified to vote in such elections, in accordance with the Constitution of
Arkansas and the Constitution of the United States.
§ 2. Definitions.
As used in this amendment, the terms:
(a) “County Board of Registration” means the County Board of Election Commissioners in each
of the several counties of this State.
(b) “Permanent Registrar” means the County Clerk in each of the several counties of this
State.
(c) “Deputy Registrar” means the Deputy County Clerk or clerical assistants appointed by the
County Clerk.
(d) “Election” means any general, special or primary election held pursuant to any provisions
of the Constitution or statutes of the State of Arkansas; provided, that this amendment shall not
apply to selection of delegates to party conventions by party committees or to selection of party
committeemen by party conventions.
§ 3. Application.
No person shall vote or be permitted to vote in any election unless registered in a manner
provided for by this amendment.
§ 4. Permanent registration.
When a voter is once registered under the provisions of this amendment, it is unnecessary for
such voter again to register unless such registration is cancelled or subject to cancellation in a
manner provided for by this amendment.
§ 5. Duties of registration officials.
(a) Voter registration agencies shall distribute mail voter registration applications, provide
assistance to applicants in completing voter registration application forms, unless the applicant
refuses assistance, and accept completed voter registration application forms for transmittal to
the appropriate permanent registrar via the Secretary of State. Voter registration agencies
include the following:
(1) The Office of Driver Services of the Revenue Division of the Department of Finance and
Administration and all State Revenue Offices;
(2) Public assistance agencies, which shall mean those agencies that provide services under
the Food Stamps, Medicaid, Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), and the Special
Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs;
(3) Disabilities agencies, which shall mean agencies that offer state-funded programs primar-
ily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities;
(4) Public libraries; and
(5) The Arkansas National Guard.
(b)(1) The Secretary of State is designated as the chief election official. The Secretary shall
prepare and distribute the pre-addressed postcard mail voter registration application forms
described in 51-6 [section 6] of this amendment. Mail registration application forms shall serve
for purposes of initial applications to register and shall also serve for changes of name, address,
or party affiliation. Bilingual (Spanish/English) forms, braille forms, and large print forms shall
be available upon request. The Secretary of State shall make the state mail voter registration
application form available for distribution through governmental and private entities with
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particular emphasis on making them available for organized voter registration programs. Any
person may distribute state registration cards. All registration cards shall be distributed to the
public without charge.
(2) The Office of Driver Services and State Revenue Offices shall provide voter registration
opportunities to those obtaining or renewing drivers licenses, personal identification cards,
duplicate or corrected licenses or cards, or changing address or name whether in person or by
mail. The Office of Driver Services and State Revenue Offices shall use a computer process, which
combines the drivers license and voter registration applications, minimizing duplicative infor-
mation, and shall have available the federal or state mail voter registration application form,
which may be used upon request or when the computer process is not available. If a person
declines to apply to register to vote, the Office of Driver Services or State Revenue Office shall
retain the record of declination for two (2) years.
(3) All public assistance agencies shall provide a federal or state mail voter registration
application form with each application for assistance, and with each recertification, renewal or
change of address or name relating to such assistance. Public assistance agencies shall provide
voter registration application forms as part of the intake process, or as a combined computer
process when a computer process is available. Public assistance agencies shall use a process or
form that combines the application for assistance with the voter registration application when
available. Public assistance agencies shall also provide declination forms as described in 51-6
[section 6] of this amendment, which shall be retained for two (2) years if an applicant declines
to apply to register to vote.
(4) All disabilities agencies shall provide a federal or state mail voter registration application
form with each application for services and with each recertification, renewal or change of
address or name relating to such services. Disabilities agencies shall provide voter registration
application forms as part of the intake process, or as a combined computer process when a
computer process is available. Disabilities agencies may use a form that combines the application
for services or assistance with the voter registration application when available. If the disabilities
agency provides services in a person’s home, then the agency shall also provide voter registration
services at the person’s home. Disabilities agencies shall also provide declination forms as
described in 51-6 [section 6] of this amendment, which shall be retained for two (2) years if an
applicant declines to apply to register to vote.
(c)(1) Employees of the Office of Driver Services and State Revenue Offices shall provide
appropriate nonpartisan voter registration assistance and provide all applicants with a receipt
containing the applicant’s name and the date of the submission.
(2) Public assistance agencies and disabilities agencies shall train agency employees to provide
the same degree of assistance in completing voter registration forms as is provided with regard
to the completion of agency forms, unless the applicant refuses such assistance.
(3) Each revenue office, public assistance agency and disabilities agency shall provide ongoing
training for employees who will be assisting persons with voter registration applications and
shall include information regarding training procedures in the report filed with the Secretary of
State pursuant to § 51-8(d) [section 8(d)] of this amendment.
(4) A person who provides voter registration assistance through any voter registration agency
shall not:
(A) Seek to influence an applicant’s political preference or party registration;
(B) Display any such political preference or party allegiance;
(C) Make any statement to an applicant or take any action to the purpose or effect of
discouraging the applicant from registering to vote;
(D) Make any statement to an applicant or take any action to the purpose or effect of leading
the applicant to believe that a decision to register or not to register has any bearing on the
availability of services or benefits; or
(E) Disclose any applicant’s voter registration information, except as necessary for the
administration of voter registration.
(d) The Permanent Registrar shall provide office and clerical facilities and may employ such
clerical assistants which he may deem necessary to fulfill the duties imposed by this amendment;
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provided, that all clerical assistants so employed shall have the qualifications required by law of
eligible voters and shall be selected on the basis of competence and without reference to political
affiliation.
(e) The State Board of Election Commissioners is authorized and, as soon as is possible after
the effective date of this amendment, directed to prescribe, adopt, publish and distribute:
(1) such Rules and Regulations supplementary to this amendment and consistent with this
amendment and other laws of Arkansas as are necessary to secure uniform and efficient
procedures in the administration of this amendment throughout the State;
(2) a Manual of instruction for the information, guidance and direction of election officials
within the state; and
(3) detailed specifications of the registration record files, the voter registration application
forms and other registration forms, including voter registration list maintenance forms, all of
which shall be consistent with this amendment and uniform throughout the State. [As amended
by Acts 1995, No. 599, § 1; 1995, No. 947, § 1; 1995, No. 964, § 1.]
§ 6. Voter registration application forms.
(a)(1) The mail voter registration application form may only require identifying information,
including signature or mark, and other information, including data relating to previous
registration by the applicant, as is necessary to assess the applicant’s eligibility and to
administer voter registration and other parts of the election process.
(2) Such forms shall include, in identical print, statements that:
(A) Specify voter eligibility requirements;
(B) Contain an attestation that the applicant meets all voter eligibility requirements and
that the applicant does not claim the right to vote in another county or state;
(C) Specify the penalties provided by law for submission of a false voter registration
application;
(D) Inform applicants that where they register to vote will be kept confidential;
(E) Inform applicants that declining to register will also be kept confidential;
(F) Inform applicants that they will be required to verify their registration when voting in
person or by absentee ballot by providing a required document or identification card as
provided in Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51, § 13;
(G) Inform the applicant that if the voter registration application is being collected by a
third-party voter registration organization, the third-party voter registration organization may
be unable to deliver the application to the permanent registrar in the county in which the
applicant resides before the thirty-day voter registration deadline to vote in the next election
and that the applicant may elect to deliver the application in person or by mail; and
(H) Inform the applicant of the process to determine if the application has been received by
the Secretary of State.
(3) The following information will be required of the applicant:
(A) Full name;
(B) Mailing address;
(C) Residence address and any other information necessary to identify the residence of the
applicant;
(D) If previously registered, the name then supplied by the applicant, and the previous
address, county, and state;
(E) Date of birth;
(F) A signature or mark made under penalty of perjury that the applicant meets each
requirement for voter registration;
(G) If the applicant is unable to sign his or her name, the name, address, and telephone
number of the person providing assistance;
(H) If the applicant has a current and valid driver’s license, the applicant’s driver’s license
number;
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(I) If the applicant does not have a current and valid driver’s license, the last four (4) digits
of the applicant’s social security number; and
(J) If the applicant does not have a current and valid driver’s license number or social
security number, the Secretary of State will assign the applicant a number which will serve to
identify the applicant for voter registration purposes, and this number shall be placed on the
application.
(4) The following information may be requested on the registration card, but it shall not be
required:
(A) Telephone number where the applicant may be contacted; and
(B) Political party with which the applicant wishes to be affiliated, if any.
(5) The mail voter registration application shall not include any requirement for notarization
or other formal authentication.
(6) The mail voter registration application form shall include the following questions along
with boxes for the applicant to check “yes” or “no” in response:
(A) “Are you a citizen of the United States of America and an Arkansas resident?”;
(B) “Will you be eighteen (18) years of age on or before election day?”;
(C) “Are you presently adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of competent juris-
diction?”; and
(D) “Have you ever been convicted of a felony without your sentence having been discharged
or pardoned?”.
(7) The mail voter registration application form shall include the following statements
immediately following the questions asked in subdivision (a)(6) of this section:
(A) “If you checked ‘No’ in response to either questions A or B, do not complete this form.”;
(B) “If you checked ‘Yes’ in response to either questions C or D, do not complete this form.”;
and
(C) The mail-in voter registration application form shall include the following statement:
“If your voter registration application form is submitted by mail and you are registering for the
first time, and you do not have a valid driver’s license number or Social Security number, in order
to avoid the additional identification requirements upon voting for the first time you must submit
with the mailed registration form: (a) a current and valid photo identification; or (b) a copy of a
current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document
that shows your name and address.”
(8) If an applicant for voter registration fails to provide any of the information required by this
section, the permanent registrar shall notify the applicant of the failure and provide the
applicant with an opportunity to complete the form in a timely manner to allow for its completion
before the next election for federal office.
(9) The mail voter registration application shall be pre-addressed to the Secretary of State.
(b)(1) The voter registration application portion of the process used by the Office of Driver
Services and state revenue offices shall include:
(A) The question: “If you are not registered to vote where you live now, would you like to
apply to register to vote here today?”;
(B) A statement that if an applicant declines to register to vote, the fact that the applicant
has declined to register will remain confidential and will be used only for voter registration
purposes;
(C) A statement that if an applicant does register to vote, the office at which the applicant
submits a voter registration application will remain confidential and will be used only for voter
registration purposes;
(D) Voter registration eligibility requirements;
(E) Penalties provided by law for providing false information;
(F) An attestation that the applicant meets each eligibility requirement and that the
applicant does not claim the right to vote in another county or state; and
(G) A space for the applicant’s signature or mark.
(2) The voter registration application portion shall require the signature of the applicant
under penalty of perjury, but shall not require notarization or other formal authentication.
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(c) Public assistance agencies and disabilities agencies shall provide, in addition to the federal
or state mail voter registration application form, a declination form, to be approved by the State
Board of Election Commissioners, which includes the following question and statements:
(1) The question in prominent type, “IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE WHERE
YOU LIVE NOW, WOULD YOU LIKE TO APPLY TO REGISTER TO VOTE HERE TODAY? YES
.... NO ....”;
(2) The statement in close proximity to the question above and in equally prominent type, “IF
YOU DO NOT CHECK EITHER BOX, YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE DECIDED NOT
TO REGISTER TO VOTE AT THIS TIME.”;
(3) The statement, “APPLYING TO REGISTER OR DECLINING TO REGISTER TO VOTE
WILL NOT AFFECT THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE THAT YOU WILL BE PROVIDED BY
THIS AGENCY.”;
(4) The statement, “IF YOU WOULD LIKE HELP IN FILLING OUT THE VOTER
REGISTRATION APPLICATION FORM, WE WILL HELP YOU. THE DECISION WHETHER
TO SEEK OR ACCEPT HELP IS YOURS. YOU MAY FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FORM IN
PRIVATE.”;
(5) The statement, “IF YOU BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE HAS INTERFERED WITH YOUR
RIGHT TO REGISTER OR TO DECLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE, YOUR RIGHT TO
PRIVACY IN DECIDING WHETHER TO REGISTER OR IN APPLYING TO REGISTER TO
VOTE, OR YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE YOUR OWN POLITICAL PARTY OR OTHER POLITI-
CAL PREFERENCE, YOU MAY FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE AT
........” (filled in with the address and telephone number of the Secretary of State’s office);
(6) The statement, “IF YOU DECLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE, THE FACT THAT YOU
HAVE DECLINED TO REGISTER WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL BE USED
ONLY FOR VOTER REGISTRATION PURPOSES.”; and
(7) The statement, “IF YOU DO REGISTER TO VOTE, THE OFFICE AT WHICH YOU
SUBMIT A VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL AND
WILL BE USED ONLY FOR VOTER REGISTRATION PURPOSES.”.
(d)(1) The voter registration application form shall be delivered to an applicant with the party
affiliation field blank.
(2) The voter registration application form shall not contain a pre-filled party affiliation field.
[As amended by Acts 1971, No. 828, § 1; 1995, No. 947, § 2; 1995, No. 964, § 2; 2003, No. 995,
§ 1; 2003 (2nd Ex. Sess.), No. 8, § 1; 2009, No. 659, § 1; 2017, No. 633, § 1; 2023, No. 441, § 2;
2025, No. 221, § 1; 2025, No. 221, § 1; 2025, No. 278, § 1.]
Publisher’s Notes. Before amendment by Acts 1971,
No. 828, subdivision (8) read: “number or name of the
voter’s school district and number or name of the voter’s
precinct.”
The proviso to subdivision (a)(8)(b) read exactly as it
appeared in the 1971 amendment prior to further amend-
ment in 1995.
Acts 1971, No. 828, § 2 read: “The amendment of Sub-
section (8) of Section 6 of Amendment 51 of the Constitu-
tion of the State of Arkansas, as provided in Section 1
hereof, is hereby made in conformance with the provisions
of Section 19 of said Amendment 51 to the Constitution of
the State of Arkansas, it being the determination of the
General Assembly that said Amendment is germane to
Amendment 51 and is consistent with its policy and
purposes.”
§ 7. Registration record files.
(a) By the deadline to establish a computerized statewide voter registration database under
the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, including any waivers or extensions of that deadline,
the Secretary of State shall define, maintain, and administer the official, centralized, and
interactive computerized voter registration list for all voters legally residing within the State.
The list shall include:
(1) The name, address, county, precinct, assigned unique identifier and registration informa-
tion of every legally registered voter in the state;
(2) The inactive registration records of persons who have failed to respond to address
confirmation mailings described in § 10 of this amendment;
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(3) List maintenance information for each person receiving address confirmation notices or
final address confirmation notices, or both, and the person’s response; and
(4) Cancelled voter registration records and documentation noting the reason for cancellation.
(b) The computerized list shall serve as the single system for storing and managing the official
list of registered voters throughout the state.
(c) The computerized list shall serve as the official voter registration list for the conduct of all
elections for federal, state, county, municipal, school, or other office in the state.
(d) The permanent registrar of each county shall maintain copies of that county’s precinct
voter registration list from the statewide computerized list as necessary for holding elections.
(e) The computerized list shall be coordinated with other state agency records on felony status
as maintained by the Arkansas Crime Information Center, records on death as maintained by the
State Department of Health, and driver’s license records maintained by the Office of Driver
Services, according to § 9 of Amendment 51 to the Arkansas Constitution.
(f) A person with an inactive voter registration status may activate his or her voting status by
appearing to vote at the precinct in which he or she currently resides or by updating his or her
voter registration records with the permanent registrar of the county in which he or she resides.
(g) The county board of election commissioners or other lawfully designated election officials
shall cause the appropriate precinct voter registration lists to be at the polling places on the date
of elections, and shall return them at the close of the election to the office of the permanent
registrar with the ballot boxes.
(h) If the legal residence of a voter is renamed, renumbered, or annexed, the permanent
registrar or any local election official may change the name or number of the legal residence on
the voter’s registration record and any other voting records. Within fifteen (15) days after the
records are changed to reflect the new name or number of the residence, the permanent registrar
shall notify the voter by mail that the change has been made.
(i)(1) The Secretary of State and any permanent registrar in the state, may obtain immediate
electronic access to the information contained in the computerized list.
(2) All voter registration information obtained by any local election official in the state shall be
electronically entered into the computerized list on an expedited basis at the time the information
is provided to the local official.
(3) The Secretary of State shall provide the support as may be required so that local election
officials are able to enter the information.
(j)(1) The Secretary of State shall ensure the security and accuracy of the statewide voter
registration list.
(2) To ensure the security and accuracy of the statewide voter registration list maintained by
the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall:
(A) Cooperate with other states and jurisdictions to compare registered voters, voter history,
and voter registration lists to:
(i) Ensure the accuracy of the voter registration rolls;
(ii) Identify voters whose addresses have changed;
(iii) Prevent registration in more than one (1) state; and
(iv) Determine eligibility of individuals to vote in Arkansas;
(B) Have the authority to utilize any services available to establish and implement a system
for the verification of citizenship status for a person registering to vote;
(C) Regularly and before each election identify registered voters who are deceased by
comparing the information received from the Social Security Administration, including without
limitation a master death file or index compiled by the Social Security Administration;
(D) Establish and implement a process for the verification of address information:
(i) Submitted by a person registering to vote;
(ii) Submitted by a registered voter updating his or her address; and
(iii) Provided through undeliverable mail by the United States Postal Service concerning a
person registering to vote or a registered voter;
(E) Ensure all confidential voter registration information and data remains confidential and
protected under state and federal law;
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(F) Allow view-only access to the voter registration record files and data to all county boards
of election commissioners to carry out the county board of election commissioners’ election
administration responsibilities; and
(G) Provide annual reports to the Joint Performance Review Committee of the General
Assembly concerning the accuracy of the voter registration record files.
(3) The Secretary of State shall promulgate rules under the Arkansas Administrative
Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq., necessary to:
(A) Implement the requirements of this section; and
(B) Ensure the security, accuracy, and integrity of the:
(i) Statewide voter registration system;
(ii) Supporting technologies utilized by the counties to maintain and record voter registra-
tion information;
(iii) Secure user access requirements established by the Secretary of State; and
(iv) Election audit logs.
[As amended by Acts 1971, No. 299, § 1; 1973, No. 149, §§ 1-4; 1977, No. 563, § 1; 1991, No.
410, § 1; 1995, No. 947, § 3; 1995, No. 964, § 3; 2003, No. 995, § 2; 2003 (2nd Ex. Sess.), No. 8,
§§ 2, 3; 2023, No. 441, § 3.]
§ 8. Voter registration application records and reports.
(a)(1) The Office of Driver Services, State Revenue Offices, public assistance agencies,
disabilities agencies, and other voter registration agencies shall transmit all completed voter
registration applications to the Secretary of State in sufficient time to allow the Secretary of State
to transmit the applications to the appropriate permanent registrar no later than ten (10) days
after the date of acceptance by the assisting agency. When applications are accepted within five
(5) days before the last day of registration for an election, they must be transmitted no later than
five (5) days after the date of acceptance at the assisting agency.
(2) The Secretary of State shall transmit all mail voter registration applications to the
appropriate permanent registrar no later than ten (10) days after the date of receipt. When
applications are received within five (5) days before the last day of registration for an election,
they must be transmitted no later than five (5) days after date of receipt. If forms are received by
the wrong election office, they shall be forwarded to the appropriate permanent registrar not later
than the fifth day after receipt.
(b) The Office of Driver Services, State Revenue Offices, public assistance agencies, disabilities
and other voter registration agencies shall collect data on the number of voter registration
applications completed or declined at each agency, and any additional statistical evidence that
the Secretary of State or the State Board of Election Commissioners deems necessary for program
evaluation and shall retain such voter registration data for a period of two (2) years.
(c)(1) The Secretary of State shall collect, maintain, and publish monthly statistical data
reflecting the number of new voter registration applications, changes of address, name, and party
affiliation, and declinations received by mail and in:
(A) state revenue offices;
(B) public assistance agencies;
(C) disabilities agencies;
(D) recruitment offices of the Armed Forces of the United States;
(E) public libraries; and
(F) offices of the Arkansas National Guard.
(2) Every six (6) months the Secretary of State shall compile a statewide report available to the
public reflecting the statistical data collected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. This
report shall be submitted to the United States Election Assistance Commission for the national
report pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, United States Code 52 USC
§ 20508. The state report shall also include:
(A) Numbers of and descriptions of the agencies, and the method of integrating voter
registration in the agencies, disaggregated by agency;
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(B) Numbers and descriptions of the public assistance programs and the method of
integrating voter registration, disaggregated by program;
(C) An assessment of the impact of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, United
States Code 52 USC § 20508, on the administration of elections; and
(D) Recommendations for improvements in procedures, forms, and other matters affected by
the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, United States Code 52 USC § 20508.
(d) Every six (6) months the state-level administration of each voter registration agency shall
issue a report to the Legislative Council and the Secretary of State containing:
(1) The statistical and other information collected in each voter registration agency office,
including the:
(A) Number of and description of each voter registration agency;
(B) Method of integrating voter registration in the voter registration agency; and
(C) Total number of registration application forms transmitted to the Secretary of State,
disaggregated by month by the voter registration agency;
(2) The statistical and other information collected in each public assistance agency, including
the:
(A) Number of and description of each voter registration agency;
(B) Method of integrating voter registration in the voter registration agency; and
(C) Number of registration application forms transmitted to the Secretary of State,
disaggregated by month by the voter registration agency; and
(3) Recommendations for improvements in procedures, forms, and other matters, including
training.
(e) Information relating to the place where a person registered to vote, submitted a voter
registration application, or updated voter registration records, and information relating to
declination forms is confidential and exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, § 25-19-101,
et seq. [As amended by Acts 1989, No. 540, § 1; 1995, No. 947, § 4; 1995, No. 964, § 4; 2023, No.
441, §§ 4, 5.]
§ 9. Application to register.
(a) All persons may register who:
(1) Have not been convicted of a felony unless the person’s sentence has been discharged or the
person has been pardoned;
(2) Have not been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction;
(3) Meet one (1) of the following requirements:
(A) Are qualified electors who have not previously registered;
(B) Will become qualified electors during the thirty-day period immediately prior to the next
election scheduled within the county; or
(C) Are otherwise qualified electors but whose registration has been cancelled in a manner
provided for by this amendment; and
(4) Are citizens of the United States.
(b) Registration shall be in progress at all times except during the thirty-day period
immediately prior to any election scheduled within the county, during which period registration
of voters shall cease for that election, but registration during such period shall be effective for
subsequent elections.
(c)(1) The permanent registrar shall register qualified applicants when a legible and complete
voter registration application is received and acknowledged by the permanent registrar.
(2) Any person who assists applicants with a voter registration application as part of a voter
registration drive or who, in furtherance of a voter registration drive, gathers or possesses
completed applications for submission to the permanent registrar or Secretary of State shall
deliver all applications in his or her possession to the permanent registrar or Secretary of State
within twenty-one (21) days of the date on the voter registration application and, in any event,
no later than the deadline for voter registration for the next election.
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(3) The permanent registrar shall register qualified applicants who apply to register to vote by
mail using the state or federal mail voter registration application form if:
(A) A legible and complete voter registration application form is postmarked not later than
thirty (30) days before the date of the election, or, if the form is received by mail without a
postmark, not later than twenty-five (25) days before the date of an election; and
(B)(i) The applicant provides a current valid driver’s license number or the last four (4)
digits of the applicant’s social security number; or
(ii) If an applicant for voter registration does not have a valid driver’s license or a social
security number, the Secretary of State shall assign the applicant a number that will serve as
a unique identifier of the applicant for voter registration purposes.
(d) The permanent registrar shall notify applicants whether their applications are accepted or
rejected or are incomplete. If information required by the permanent registrar is missing from
the voter registration application, the permanent registrar shall contact the applicant to obtain
the missing information.
(e) The Secretary of State and the Director of the Office of Driver Services shall enter into an
agreement to match information in the database of the statewide voter registration system with
information in the database of the Office of Driver Services to the extent required to enable each
official to verify the accuracy of the information provided on applications for voter registration.
The Director of the Office of Driver Services shall enter into an agreement with the Commissioner
of Social Security to verify driver’s license information according to § 303 of the Federal Help
America Vote Act of 2002.
(f) Registration records shall be entered promptly in the computerized statewide registration
record files. If the applicant lacks one (1) or more of the qualifications required by law of voters
in this state, the permanent registrar shall not register the applicant, but shall document the
reason for denying the applicant’s registration and promptly file or enter the application and the
documented reason for denying registration in the statewide registration record files.
(g) If the permanent registrar has any reason to doubt the qualifications of an applicant for
registration, he or she shall submit such application to the county board of election commission-
ers, and such board shall make a determination with respect to such qualifications and shall
instruct the permanent registrar regarding the same.
(h) If any person eligible to register as a voter is unable to register in person at the permanent
registrar’s office by reason of sickness or physical disability, the permanent registrar shall
register the applicant at his or her place of abode within such county, if practicable, in the same
manner as if he or she had appeared at the permanent registrar’s office.
(i) Notwithstanding other provisions of this amendment, every person in any of the following
categories who is absent from the place of his or her voting residence may vote without prior
registration by absentee ballot by submission of a federal postal card application as provided for
in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act in any primary, special, school, or
general election held in his or her election precinct if he or she is otherwise eligible to vote in that
election:
(1) Members of the uniformed services of the United States while in active duty or service, and
their spouses and dependents who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, are
absent from the place of residence where the spouse or dependent is otherwise qualified to vote;
(2) Members of the Merchant Marine while in active duty or service, and their spouses and
dependents who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, are absent from the place
of residence where the spouse or dependent is otherwise qualified to vote; and
(3) Citizens of the United States residing or temporarily outside the territorial limits of the
United States and the District of Columbia.
(j)(1) The Secretary of State shall be responsible for providing to all absent uniformed services
voters and overseas voters who wish to register to vote or vote in any jurisdiction in the state,
information regarding voter registration procedures and absentee ballot procedures.
(2) No later than ninety (90) days after the date of each regularly scheduled general election
for federal office, the Secretary of State shall submit a report, based on information submitted to
692 Amend. 51, § 9 CONSTITUTION OF ARKANSAS

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him or her by the permanent registrars of each county, to the Election Assistance Commission on
the combined number of absentee ballots transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and
overseas voters for the election and the combined number of the ballots which were returned by
the voters and cast in the election.
(3) The Secretary of State shall make the report available to the general public.
(k) Any person whose registration status or voting eligibility is affected adversely by an
administrative determination under this amendment may appeal such adverse determination
within five (5) days of receipt of notice thereof to the county board of election commissioners. The
county board of election commissioners shall act on such appeal and render its decision within ten
(10) days of its receipt. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of such decision, any aggrieved party
may appeal further to the circuit court of the county.
(l) If an election law deadline occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline shall
be the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. [As amended by Acts 1971, No.
184, § 1; 1993, No. 561, § 1; 1995, No. 947, § 5; 1995, No. 964, § 5; 1999, No. 654, § 1; 2003, No.
995, § 3; 2005, No. 1952, § 1; 2009, No. 659, § 2; 2023, No. 441, § 6; 2025, No. 221, § 2.]
Publisher’s Notes. The Election Assistance Commis-
sion, referred to in subdivision (j)(2), is a federal commis-
sion.
Before the 1971 amendment, subsection (f) read: “Not-
withstanding other provisions of this amendment, all
members of the armed forces of the United States and their
spouses when residing with or accompanying them, who
are otherwise eligible, may vote without registration by
absentee ballot in accordance with the laws of this State”.
Section 9 of Amendment 51 to the Arkansas Constitution
was amended by the General Assembly pursuant to the
authority granted in Section 19 of that Amendment.
§ 10. Transfer and change of status.
(a) Upon a change of legal residence within the county, or a change of name, any registered
voter may cause his or her registration to be transferred to his or her new address or new name
by completing and mailing a federal or state mail voter registration application form, by updating
his or her address at the Office of Driver Services, any state revenue office, public assistance
agency, disabilities agency, or other voter registration agency, by signing a mailed request to the
permanent registrar, giving his or her present address and the address at which he or she was
last registered or his or her present name and the name under which he or she was last
registered, or by applying in person at the office of the permanent registrar.
(b)(1) Upon a change of legal residence from one (1) county within the state to another county
within the state, any registered voter may cause his or her registration to be transferred to the
new county at his or her new address by:
(A) Completing and mailing a federal or state mail voter registration application form;
(B) Updating his or her new address at a voter registration agency, including without
limitation the Office of Driver Services or a state revenue office, public assistance agency, or
disabilities agency;
(C) Signing a mailed request to the permanent registrar giving the voter’s present address
and the address at which the voter was last registered; or
(D) Applying in person for the transfer at the office of the permanent registrar.
(2)(A) If the updated registration information is actually received in the office of the county
clerk of the voter’s new county before the polls close for a scheduled election, the voter shall
have the right to vote in the scheduled election in the precinct into which the voter just moved
in the new county.
(B) If the updated registration information is not actually received before the polls close for
a scheduled election, the voter shall not be eligible to vote in the scheduled election.
(c) If the change of legal residence is made pursuant to subsection (a) or subdivision (d)(1) of
this section during the thirty-day administrative cut-off period immediately prior to any election
scheduled within the county, the registered voter shall retain his or her right to vote in the
scheduled election in the precinct to which he or she just moved.
(d) The permanent registrar shall conduct a uniform, nondiscriminatory address confirmation
program during each odd-numbered year to ensure that voter registration lists are accurate and
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current. The address confirmation program shall be completed not later than ninety (90) days
prior to a primary or general election for federal office. Based on change of address data received
from the United States Postal Service or its licensees, or other unconfirmed data indicating that
a registered voter no longer resides at his or her registered address, the permanent registrar
shall send a forwardable address confirmation notice, including a postage-paid and preaddressed
return card, to enable the voter to verify or correct the address information.
(1) If change of address data indicate that the voter has moved to a new residence address in
the same county and, if the county is divided into more than one (1) congressional district, the
same congressional district, the address confirmation notice shall contain the following state-
ment:
“We have received notification that you have moved to a new address in __________________
County (or in the __________________ Congressional District). We will reregister you at your new
address unless, within ten (10) days, you notify us that your change of address is not a change of
your permanent residence. You may notify us by returning the attached postage-paid postcard or
by calling (__________) __________-__________. If this is not a permanent change of residence and
if you do not notify us within ten (10) days you may be required to update your residence address
in order to vote at future elections.”
(2) If the change of address data indicates that the voter has moved to a new address in
another county or, if a county is divided into more than one (1) congressional district, to a new
address in the same county but in a new congressional district, the notice shall include the
following statement:
“We have received notification that you have moved to a new address not in __________________
County (or not in the __________________ Congressional District). If you no longer live in
__________________ County (or in the __________________ Congressional District), you must
transfer your registration to your new residence address in order to vote in the next election. If
you are still an Arkansas resident, you may obtain a form to transfer your registration by calling
your county clerk’s office or the Secretary of State. If your change of address is not a change of
your permanent residence, you must return the attached postage-paid postcard. If you do not
return this card and continue to reside in __________________ County (and in the
__________________ Congressional District), you may be required to provide identification and
update your residence address in order to vote at future elections, and if you do not vote at any
election in the period between the date of this notice and the second federal general election after
the date of this notice, your voter registration will be cancelled and you will have to reregister in
order to vote. If the change of address is permanent, please return the attached postage-paid
postcard which will assist us in keeping our voter registration records accurate.”
(e) The county clerk may send out an address confirmation to any voter when he or she
receives unconfirmed information that the voter no longer resides at the address on the voter
registration records. The county clerk shall follow the same confirmation procedure as set forth
in subsection (d) of this section.
(f) Based on change of address information received pursuant to subsections (a) and (d) of this
section, the permanent registrar shall:
(1) Update and correct the voter’s registration if the information indicates that the voter has
moved to a new address within the same county and the same congressional district;
(2) Designate the voter as inactive if the information indicates the voter has moved to a new
address in another county or to a new address in another congressional district in the same
county or if the address confirmation notices have been returned as undeliverable; or
(3) Cancel the voter registration in the county from which the voter has moved if the voter
verifies in writing that he or she has moved to a residence address in another county. [As
amended by Acts 1977, No. 882, § 1; 1991, No. 581, § 1; 1995, No. 947, § 6; 1995, No. 964, § 6;
1999, No. 1108, § 1; 2007, No. 560, § 1; 2009, No. 659, § 3; 2025, No. 372, § 1.]
§ 11. Cancellation of registration.
(a) It shall be the duty of the permanent registrar to cancel the registration of voters:
694 Amend. 51, § 11 CONSTITUTION OF ARKANSAS

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(1) Who have failed to respond to address confirmation mailings described in section 10 of this
amendment and have not voted or appeared to vote in an election during the period beginning on
the date of the notice and ending on the day after the date of the second general election for
federal office that occurs after the date of the address confirmation notice;
(2) Who have changed their residence to an address outside the county;
(3) Who have died;
(4) Who have been convicted of a felony and have not discharged their sentence or been
pardoned;
(5) Who are not lawfully qualified or registered electors of this state or of the county;
(6) Who have been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction; or
(7) Who are not citizens of the United States.
(b) It shall be the duty of the permanent registrar of each county upon the registration of a
person who has been registered previously in another county or state to notify promptly the
permanent registrar of such other county or state of the new registration.
(c)(1) It shall be the duty of the State Registrar of Vital Records to notify promptly the
Secretary of State of the death of all residents of this state.
(2)(A) The Secretary of State shall compile a listing of the deceased residents of this state and
shall promptly provide this listing to the permanent registrar of each county.
(B) The deceased voter registration shall be cancelled by the permanent registrar.
(d)(1) It shall be the duty of the circuit clerk of each county upon the conviction of any person
of a felony to notify promptly the permanent registrar of the county of residence of such convicted
felon.
(2)(A) It is the duty of any convicted felon who desires to register to vote to provide the county
clerk with proof from the appropriate state or local agency, or office that the felon has been
discharged from probation or parole, has paid all probation or parole fees, or has satisfied all
terms of imprisonment, and paid all applicable court costs, fines, or restitution.
(B) Proof that the felon has been discharged from probation or parole, paid all probation or
parole fees, or satisfied all terms of imprisonment, and paid all applicable court costs, fines, or
restitution shall be provided to the felon after completion of the probation, parole, or sentence
by the Department of Correction, the Department of Community Correction, the appropriate
probation office or the circuit clerk as applicable.
(C) The circuit clerk or any other entity responsible for collection shall provide proof to the
Department of Correction, the Department of Community Correction, or the appropriate
probation office that the felon has paid all applicable court costs, fines, or restitution.
(D) Upon compliance with subdivision (d)(2)(A) of this section, the felon shall be deemed
eligible to vote.
(e)(1)(A) If upon inquiry an individual is found by a court to be unfit and disqualified to act as
a grand or petit juror because the person is not a citizen of the United States:
(i) The name of the individual shall be put aside and not used; and
(ii) A notation of the dismissal of the name and reason for dismissal of the name shall be
made in the jury book.
(B) The circuit clerk shall promptly notify the permanent registrar of the county of residence
of an individual who is disqualified from serving as a juror under subdivision (e)(1)(A) of this
section.
(C) After receiving the notice from the circuit clerk, the permanent registrar shall promptly
cancel the dismissed juror’s voter registration, update the voter registry, and send the
dismissed juror notice under subsection (f) of this section.
(2)(A) It is the duty of any person whose registration has been cancelled under subsection (e)
of this section to provide the permanent registrar with proof from the appropriate federal,
state, or local agency that he or she is a citizen of the United States.
(B) Upon complying with subdivision (e)(2)(A) of this section the person shall be deemed
eligible to vote and the permanent registrar shall add the citizen to the voter registry upon the
citizen’s application for voter registration.
695 Amend. 51, § 11 VOTER REGISTRATION

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(f) Within ten (10) days following the receipt or possession of information requiring any
cancellation of registration, the permanent registrar shall cancel the registration and note the
date of the cancellation, the reason for the cancellation, and the person cancelling the registration
in the voter registration system.
(g)(1) The permanent registrar shall, thirty (30) days before cancellation, notify all persons
whose registration records are to be cancelled in accordance with section 11(a)(1) of this
amendment. The notice may be either by publication or by first class mail. The notice by mail
shall be as follows:
“NOTICE OF IMPENDING CANCELLATION OF VOTER REGISTRATION.
According to our records you have not responded to our address confirmation notice and you
have not voted in any election during the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending
on the day after the date of the second general election for federal office after the date of the first
notice. This may indicate that you no longer live at the residence address printed on the postcard.
If your permanent residence address is still the same as the printed address on this postcard
YOU MUST CONFIRM YOUR RESIDENCE ADDRESS in order to remain on the voter
registration list. If you do not return the attached postcard within thirty (30) days after the date
postmarked on this card YOUR REGISTRATION WILL BE CANCELLED and you will have to
re-register to vote.”
(2) When, in response to the notice, a qualified voter requests the permanent registrar not to
cancel the voter registration, the voter registration shall not be cancelled under section 11(a)(1)
of this amendment.
(h) The permanent registrar is authorized, and may be directed by the county board of
registration, to determine by mail check, house to house canvass, or any other reasonable means
at any time within the whole or any part of the county whether active record registration files
contain the names of any persons not qualified by law to vote. Further, upon application based
upon affidavits of one (1) or more qualified voters by the prosecuting attorney for the county, the
circuit judge of the county, for good cause shown, may order the permanent registrar to make sure
determination or to cancel the registration of such unqualified persons. [As amended by Acts
1977, No. 744, § 1; 1983, No. 11, § 1; 1987, No. 800, § 1; 1991, No. 581, § 2; 1995, No. 947, § 7;
1995, No. 964, § 7; 2001, No. 560, § 1; 2003, No. 271, § 1; 2003, No. 375, § 1; 2003, No. 1451, § 1;
2009, No. 659, § 4; 2019, No. 290, § 1; 2023, No. 441, §§ 7, 8; 2025, No. 221, § 3.]
Publisher’s Notes. This section was amended by two
1987 acts which conflict and cannot be codified together.
Acts 1987, No. 800, was the last-enacted amendment and is
set out above. Acts 1987, No. 597, § 1, would have
amended subsections (a) and (f) to read as follows:
“(a) It shall be the duty of the Permanent Registrar to
cancel the registration of voters:
“(1) Who have failed to vote in any election during four
(4) successive calendar years immediately preceding the
first of January of any year. Provided, the registration of a
person who is in the active military service of the United
States shall be cancelled for failure to vote only if such
person has failed to vote in any election during six (6)
successive calendar years immediately preceding the first
of January of any year;
“(2) Who have changed their residence to an address
outside the county;
“(3) Who have died or changed their name;
“(4) Who have been convicted of felonies and have not
discharged their sentence or been pardoned; or
“(5) Who are not lawfully qualified or registered electors
of this State, or of the county.
“(f) The Permanent Registrar may send all persons
whose Affidavits of Registration are cancelled in accor-
dance with Section 11(a)(1) of this amendment the follow-
ing notice by first-class mail within ten (10) days after such
cancellation: ‘NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF VOTER
REGISTRATION. Notice is hereby given that due to your
failure to vote in any election in this county during the
preceding four (4) calendar years, (six (6) calendar years in
the case of persons in active military service of the United
States) under the laws of this State your voter registration
has been cancelled. If you are still a qualified voter, you
may register again at any time.’ Alternatively, the Perma-
nent Registrar may publish a list of the names of all
persons whose Affidavits of Registration are cancelled in
the previous calendar year in accordance with Section
11(a)(1) of this amendment on or before the 31st day of
January of each year in a legal newspaper. To assure
proper identification, the name of the person’s street or
route and the name of the city, town, or community in
which the person lives shall be included. The following
notice shall be given and shall be followed by the list of
names: ‘NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF VOTER REG-
ISTRATION. Notice is hereby given that due to your
failure to vote in any election in this county during the
preceding four (4) calendar years, (six (6) calendar years in
case of persons in active military service of the United
States) under the laws of this State your voter registration
has been cancelled. If you are still a qualified voter, you
may register again at any time.’ ”
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§ 12. Loss or destruction of voter registration records.
In the event any Registration Record or File shall become lost or destroyed, the Permanent
Registrar shall prepare, from the remaining Files, temporary copies of the registration records if
necessary for the conduct of any election. The Permanent Registrar shall send notice of such fact
by first-class mail to any voter whose registration record has been lost, destroyed or mutilated in
order that such voter may register again. The previous registration shall be cancelled at the time
of the new registration, and in any event within sixty (60) days after mailing of such notice. [As
amended by Acts 1995, No. 947, § 9; 1995, No. 964, § 9.]
§ 13. Fail-safe voting — Verification of voter registration.
(a) If a voter presents himself or herself at a polling place on the date of an election but no
record of his or her voter registration can be located by the judges of the election on the precinct
voter registration list, the voter shall be permitted to vote only under the conditions set forth in
§ 7-5-306 or § 7-7-308.
(b)(1)(A) In order to determine that all who cast a ballot in an election, a runoff election, or a
school election in this state are legally qualified to vote in that election, each voter shall verify
his or her registration by:
(i) Presenting to the election official when appearing to vote in person either early or at the
polls on election day in an election, a runoff election, or a school election verification of
registration in the form of a document or identification card that:
(a) Shows the legal name of the person to whom the document or identification card was
issued;
(b) Shows a photograph of the person to whom the document or identification card was
issued;
(c) Is issued by the United States, the State of Arkansas, an accredited postsecondary
educational institution in the State of Arkansas, or a trade school in the State of Arkansas; and
(d) If displaying an expiration date, is not expired or expired no more than four (4) years
before the date of the election in which the voter seeks to vote; or
(ii) Submitting with an absentee ballot in an election, a runoff election, or a school election
a copy of a document or identification card that complies with the requirements of subdivision
(b)(1)(A)(i) of this section.
(B) A document or identification card may be presented in a digital format on an electronic
device if the document or identification card:
(1) Complies with the requirements of subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section; and
(2) The digital format has been approved or issued by the United States, the State of
Arkansas, or an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the State of Arkansas.
(C) Documents and identification cards that comply with the requirements of subdivision
(b)(1)(A) of this section include without limitation:
(i) A driver’s license;
(ii) A photo identification card;
(iii) A concealed handgun carry license;
(iv) A United States passport;
(v) An employee badge or identification document issued by an accredited postsecondary
educational institution in the State of Arkansas;
(vi) A United States military identification document;
(vii) A public assistance identification card if the card shows a photograph of the person to
whom the document or identification card was issued; and
(viii) A voter verification card under Arkansas Code § 7-5-324.
(2)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (b)(2)(B) of this section, if a voter is unable to verify
his or her registration when voting in person by presenting a document or identification card
that complies with subdivision (b)(1)(A)(i) of this section, the election official shall:
(i) Indicate on the precinct voter registration list that the voter did not present a required
document or identification card; and
697 Amend. 51, § 13 VOTER REGISTRATION

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(ii) Permit the voter to cast a provisional ballot and inform the voter of the requirements
under subdivision (b)(4) of this section.
(B)(i) A person who is a resident of a long-term care or residential care facility licensed by
the state of Arkansas is not required to verify his or her registration by presenting a document
or identification card that complies with subdivision (b)(1)(A)(i) of this section when voting in
person.
(ii) A person not required to present a document or identification card under subdivision
(b)(2)(B)(i) of this section shall provide documentation from the administrator of the facility
attesting that the person is a resident of the facility.
(3)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (b)(3)(B) of this section, if a voter voting by absentee
ballot fails to submit with the ballot documentation that complies with subdivision (b)(1)(A)(ii)
of this section, the absentee ballot shall be considered a provisional ballot.
(B) The following persons shall not be required to submit with his or her absentee ballot
documentation that complies with subdivision (b)(1)(A)(ii) of this section:
(i) An active duty member of the uniformed services of the United States or United States
Merchant Marine who is absent from the country on election day because of his or her service;
(ii) The spouse or dependant of an active duty member of the uniformed services of the
United States or United States Merchant Marine under subdivision (b)(3)(B)(i) of this section
who is absent from the country on election day because of the service of the member; or
(iii)(a) A resident of a long-term care or residential care facility licensed by the state of
Arkansas.
(b) A person not required to submit a document or identification card under subdivision
(b)(3)(B)(iii)(a) of this section shall provide documentation from the administrator of the facility
attesting that the person is a resident of the facility.
(4) A provisional ballot cast by a voter who did not present a required document or
identification card shall be counted if:
(A) The voter returns to the county board of election commissioners or the county clerk by
12:00 noon on the Monday following the election and presents a document or identification card
that complies with the requirements of subdivision (b)(1)(A)(i) of this section; and
(B) The county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional
ballot is invalid and should not be counted based on other grounds.
(5) A provisional ballot cast by an absentee voter who failed to submit with an absentee ballot
documentation that complies with subdivision (b)(1)(A)(ii) of this section shall be counted if:
(A) The voter returns to the county board of election commissioners or the county clerk by
12:00 noon on the Monday following the election and presents a copy of a document or
identification card that complies with the requirements of subdivision (b)(1)(A)(i) of this
section; and
(B) The county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional
ballot is invalid and should not be counted based on other grounds.
(6) A person registering to vote by mail and who has not previously voted in a federal election
in this state shall only be required to comply with § 7-5-201(e).
(7) The State Board of Election Commissioners shall promulgate rules necessary to implement
subsection (b) of this section.
(8)(A) Following each election, the county board of election commissioners may review the
precinct voter registration lists and may provide the information of each voter not presenting
a document or identification card necessary to verify his or her voter registration when voting
in person or by absentee ballot to the prosecuting attorney.
(B) The county board of election commissioners shall refer suspected instances of voter fraud
to the prosecuting attorney.
(C) The prosecuting attorney or a state entity authorized by the General Assembly may
investigate possible voter fraud.
(D) Upon application based upon affidavits of one (1) or more qualified voters by the
appropriate prosecuting attorney alleging possible voter fraud, the appropriate circuit judge,
698 Amend. 51, § 13 CONSTITUTION OF ARKANSAS

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for good cause shown, may order the permanent registrar to cancel the registration of the voter
failing to verify his or her registration as provided by this subsection. [As amended by Acts
1973, No. 149, §§ 5, 6; 1995, No. 947, § 10; 1995, No. 964, § 10; 2017, No. 633, § 2; 2019, No.
684, § 1; 2021, No. 249, §§ 1, 2; 2023, No. 441, §§ 9-11.]
§ 14. Voter registration lists.
(a) By the first day of June of each year, and at such other times as may be practicable, all
Permanent Registrars shall, and at their discretion at other times may, print or otherwise
duplicate and publish lists of registered voters by precincts, and may distribute such lists
pursuant to §§ 7-5-105 and 7-5-109. A copy of the most current such list in each precinct shall be
furnished the election officials at each precinct at the time the ballot boxes are delivered and such
election officials shall post said list at a conspicuous place in the polling area.
(b) By the first day of June of each year, the Permanent Registrar shall certify to the Secretary
of State the total number of registered voters in the county. The Secretary of State shall tabulate
the total number of registered voters in the state and shall make such information available to
interested persons upon request. [As amended by Acts 1995, No. 947, § 11; 1995, No. 964, § 11.]
§ 15. Penalties.
(a) Any person who shall maliciously and intentionally destroy, steal, mutilate or unlawfully
detain or obtain any voter registration form or any Registration Record Files shall be guilty of a
felony, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in the sum of not less than one hundred dollars
($100.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or be imprisoned in the State
Penitentiary for a period of not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or both.
(b) Any public official, election official, or public employee who wilfully violates any provision
of this amendment shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall also be
removed from such office or position.
(c) Any other person who wilfully violates any provision of this amendment shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor. [As amended by Acts 1995, No. 947, § 12; 1995, No. 964, § 12; 2023, No. 441, §
12.]
§ 16. Severability.
If any provision of this amendment or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is
held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the amendment
which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the
provisions of this amendment are declared to be severable.
§ 17. Effect on other laws.
This amendment supersedes and repeals the requirement of Amendment No. 8 that a poll tax
receipt be presented prior to registration or voting, and further supersedes and repeals Act 19 of
1964 and all other laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith.
§ 18. Appropriations.
The General Assembly shall make such appropriations as may be required for the effectuation
of this amendment.
§ 19. Amendment.
The General Assembly may, in the same manner as required for amendment of laws initiated
by the people, amend Sections 5 through 15 of this amendment, so long as such amendments are
germane to this amendment, and consistent with its policy and purposes.
699 Amend. 51, § 19 VOTER REGISTRATION

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§ 20. Short title.
This amendment shall be known as the “Arkansas Amendment for Voter Registration without
Poll Tax Payment.”