Important Tips for Election Day

Election Day is here! Here are some important tips to keep in mind as that day approaches.

The deadline to register to vote in time for the election was October 5. The early voting period ran from Monday, October 19, 2020 to Monday, November 2, 2020.

What to bring to the polls

For voters planning to cast their ballots at a polling place, an ID will be needed. Acceptable forms of ID include: an Arkansas driver's license; an Arkansas photo identification card; a concealed handgun carry license; a United States passport; an employee badge or identification document issued by an accredited postsecondary education institution in the State of Arkansas; a United States military identification document; a public assistance identification card if the card shows a photograph of the person to whom the document or identification card was issued; a voter verification card.

If you're voting for the first-time in Arkansas, registered to vote by mail, and didn't submit a copy of your ID when you registered, you will need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include: a driver's license or non-driver's license ID; or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with your name and address. 

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.

You can contact with any questions about voting absentee in your county. Click here for a directory of Arkansas county clerk offices.

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According to Arkansas law, voters are now required to verify his or her voter registration.

If the voter is unable to verify their registration, they have the opportunity to vote a provisional ballot. Under this circumstance, the voter has until 12:00 noon on the first Monday following the election to provide proper identification.

Each voter shall verify his or her registration when voting by presenting a document or identification card that:

(a) Shows the 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, or an accredited postsecondary educational institution 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.

Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51, § 13(b)(1)(A) 

Documents and identification cards that will be accepted as verification of voter registration include without limitation: A driver’s license; A photo identification card; A concealed handgun carry license; A United States passport; An employee badge or identification document issued by an accredited postsecondary education institution in the State of Arkansas; A United States military identification document; A public assistance identification card if the card shows a photograph of the person to whom the document or identification card was issued; A voter verification card as provided under Ark. Code § 7-5-324.

Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51, § 13(b)(1)(B) 

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 as described above when voting in person, but must provide documentation from the administrator of the facility attesting that the person is a resident of the facility.

Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51, § 13(b)(2)(B) 

Provisional Voting for Voters Unable to Verify Registration 

Voters unable to verify registration when voting in person shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots cast in this manner will be counted if:

(a) The voter completes a sworn statement at the polling site stating that the voter is registered to vote in this state and that he or she is the person registered to vote, and the county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional ballot is invalid and should not be counted based on other grounds, or

(b) 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 meeting the requirements described above, and the county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional ballot is invalid and should not be counted based on other grounds.

Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51, § 13(b)(1)(B)