To Amend The Law Concerning The Marking And Counting Of Paper Ballots.
Summary
HB1884 amends Arkansas election law governing paper ballots, specifically ballots that are hand counted. It requires each hand-counted paper ballot to include either a watermark or ultraviolet ink seal, with a unique placement for each election cycle, as an added security feature.
The bill also changes the rules for how hand counts must be conducted after polls close. It generally requires poll workers to certify the voter list immediately and complete the hand count within 24 hours of the close of polls, with no significant breaks. If the hand count is not finished at least 24 hours before the certification deadline, the machine-tabulated results would become the certified election results. The bill further requires a minimum of four poll workers to be available if one becomes sick or otherwise unable to continue, and it directs that hand-count totals be recorded by race and posted at the designated counting location when the count is complete. An exception allows poll workers to stop counting to completion if the ballots are secured in a double-locking hard shell ballot box and stored in a locked room guarded at all times by a sheriff’s deputy.
Impact
HB1884 would amend Arkansas Code §§ 7-5-601 and 7-5-603, affecting the form, security, and counting procedures for hand-counted paper ballots. It would impose new ballot authentication requirements, tighten post-election counting timelines, and create a fallback rule favoring machine-tabulated results if hand counting is not completed in time. The bill would also add operational requirements for county election officials and poll workers, including staffing, ballot storage, and public posting of hand-count totals.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so the bill’s sentiment can only be inferred from its text. The measure appears to reflect a pro-security, pro-administration approach to election procedures, emphasizing ballot integrity, chain-of-custody protections, and timely certification. At the same time, the inclusion of a machine-results fallback suggests an effort to avoid delays in election certification if hand counts cannot be completed on schedule.
Contention
The likely points of contention are the new hand-count deadline, the requirement that machine results control if the hand count misses the deadline, and the added security/staffing mandates for counties. Election administrators may view the bill as increasing logistical burdens and making hand counts harder to complete, while supporters may argue it improves election security and reliability. The requirement to record and post totals by race may also draw scrutiny depending on how it is implemented and whether it raises concerns about transparency, administrative complexity, or ballot handling.