Proposed amendment calls for photo ID for voting

NOTICE FOR AMENDMENT REFERRED TO THE PEOPLE BY THE ARKANSAS

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Issue No. 2

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Pursuant to Article 19, Section 22, of the Arkansas Constitution, the 91s t General Assembly refers the following constitutional amendment to a vote of the people on November 6, 2018, and will appear on the ballot as Issue No. 2. Each elector upon voting his/her ballot shall vote for or against this amendment. Underlined language would be added to the present Constitution.

Stricken language would be deleted from the present Constitution. This Amendment was proposed in the Regular 2017 Session by Representative R. Lundstrum and filed as HJR 1016.

Popular Name

A Constitutional Amendment Adding as a Qualification to Vote that a Voter Present Certain Valid Photographic Identification When Casting a Ballot In Person or Casting an Absentee Ballot

Ballot Title

AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION CONCERNING THE

PRESENTATION OF VALID PHOTOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION WHEN VOTING;

REQUIRING THAT A VOTER PRESENT VALID PHOTOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION

WHEN VOTING IN PERSON OR WHEN CASTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT; AND

PROVIDING THAT THE STATE OF ARKANSAS ISSUE PHOTOGRAPHIC

IDENTIFICATION AT NO CHARGE TO ELIGIBLE VOTERS LACKING PHOTOGRAPHIC

IDENTIFICATION.

(Complete Text of Proposed Amendment)

SECTION 1. Arkansas Constitution, Article 3, § 1, is amended to read as follows:

1. Qualifications of electors.

(a)

Except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, any person ma

y vote in an election in this state who is:

(1) A citizen of the United States;

(2) A resident of the State of Arkansas;

(3) At least eighteen (18) years of age; and

(4) Lawfully registered to vote in the election.

(b)(1) In addition to the qualifications

under subsection (a) of this section, the General Assembly shall provide by law that a voter shall:

(A) Present valid photographic identification before receiving a ballot to vote in person; and

(B) Enclose a copy of valid photographic identification with his or her ballot when voting by absentee ballot.

(2) The General Assembly shall establish by law the types of photographic identification that a

person may present to comply with subdivision (b)(1) of this section.

who does not have a form of photographic identification meeting the requirements of the law

enacted by the General Assembly under this section.

(d)(1)(A) A voter unable to present valid photographic identification when voting in person shall

be permitted to vote a provisional ballot.

(B) An absentee ballot that is not accompanied by a copy of valid photographic identification

shall be considered a provisional ballot.

(2) A provisional ballot under subdivision (d)(1) of this section shall be counted only if the voter

subsequently certifies the provisional ballot in a manner provided by law.

(e)(1) The General Assembly shall implement the provisions of this amendment by law.

(2) The General Assembly may provide by law for exceptions to the requirement that a voter:

(A) Present valid photographic identification before receiving a ballot to vote in person; and

(B) Enclose a copy of valid photographic identification with his or her ballot when voting by

absentee ballot.

(f) A voter meeting the requirements of this section also shall comply with all additional laws

regulating elections necessary for his or her vote to be counted.

SECTION 2. BALLOT TITLE AND POPULAR NAME.

When this proposed amendment is submitted to the electors of this state on the general election ballot:

(1) The title of this joint resolution shall be the ballot title; and

(2) The popular name shall be “A Constitutional Amendment Adding as a Qualification to Vote

that a Voter Present Certain Valid Photographic Identification When Casting a Ballot In Person

or Casting an Absentee Ballot.”