An Arkansas legislative committee on Thursday reviewed and approved an emergency rule that permits electronic signatures on voter registration applications only when they’re completed at certain state agencies.

The Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners last week gave initial approval to the rule, which requires paper registration applications to include a “wet signature,” meaning an applicant signs with a pen.

Board Director Chris Madison told the Arkansas Legislative Council’s Executive Subcommittee on Thursday that the rule was designed to create consistency because electronic signatures were being accepted by some county clerks and rejected by others.

Lawmakers approve voter registration signature rule

*Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate*
Rep. Bruce Cozart (L) and Sen. Terry Rice (R) listen to Arkansas Board of Election Commissioner Director Chris Madison discuss a new voter registration rule during a legislative committee meeting on May 2, 2024.

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

An Arkansas legislative committee on Thursday will consider an emergency rule that permits electronic signatures on voter registration applications only when they’re completed at certain state agencies.

If approved, the emergency rule would require paper registration applications to include a “wet signature,” meaning an applicant signs with a pen.

The Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners approved the emergency rule last Tuesday. Director Chris Madison said the rule is designed to create consistency because currently, electronic signatures are accepted by some county clerks and rejected by others.

Arkansas lawmakers to examine new voter registration signature rule