Get Loud Arkansas

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Federal judge temporarily blocks ‘wet signature’ rule for Arkansas voters

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KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the implementation of a new rule barring the use of electronic signatures on Arkansas voter registration forms except at certain state agencies.

State lawmakers in May approved an emergency rule drafted by the Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners that requires a “wet signature,” meaning signing with a pen, on voter registration applications unless they’re completed at state agencies, like the DMV.

In June, voter advocacy group Get Loud Arkansas challenged the rule with a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas against Secretary of State John Thurston, the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners and the county clerks of Benton, Pulaski and Washington counties.

Federal judge temporarily blocks ‘wet signature’ rule for Arkansas voters

Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate

John Paul Hammerschmidt Federal Building in Fayetteville.

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Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners sued over 'wet signature rule'

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KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Get Loud Arkansas was using snail mail to register people to vote. Sounds simple, but it proved to be tricky. Most voter forms, sent through the mail, weren't being filled out and sent back.

“We had a huge drop off at that point,” she said. “We sent them out their applications and the applications never got turned in. About 33% actually made it all the way through the process.”

That's Kristin Foster, Deputy Executive Director of Get Loud Arkansas. The group's main purpose is to get more people signed up to vote. In 2022, she went to the polls to cast a ballot, and got an idea.

Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners sued over 'wet signature rule'

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

State Board of Election Commissioners approved the signature decision at a meeting.

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Lawsuit challenges Arkansas voter registration rules

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KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A local group is suing over a rule regarding how voter registrations are done in the state.

Get Loud Arkansas created a website allowing people to register to vote online. In April, an Arkansas legislative committee moved to prevent this process from being used, saying applications now need to have a “wet signature.” This means voter applications must be filled out in person and only at certain state agencies. The rule change was approved by the Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners a week later.

GLA is suing along with plaintiffs Nickki Pastor and Trinity “Blake” Loper, both 18-year-olds whose voter registrations were rejected since they filled out their paperwork online. The suit is against the commissioner of the State Board of Elections, Secretary of State John Thurston and several county clerks. Get Loud Arkansas says the rule violates the rights of minority voters in a state with consistently low voter turnout.

Lawsuit challenges Arkansas voter registration rules

Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate

Get Loud Arkansas hosted a rally outside the state Capitol on April 23, 2024 following the Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners’ decision to limit the use of electronic signatures on voter registration applications.

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Sen. Joyce Elliott launching nonprofit for voter engagement

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KUAR | By Roby Brock / Talk Business & Politics

Term-limited State Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, is launching a new nonprofit organization, Get Loud Arkansas!, to register new voters and engage lackluster voters.

“Our voices are being silenced by a coordinated effort to restrict the fundamental right to vote,” said Elliott, “The future of our state will be shaped by our commitment to maintaining and strengthening our democracy. It’s time to work together, get loud, and do the work for a better Arkansas.”

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2021-12-02/sen-joyce-elliott-launching-nonprofit-for-voter-engagement

Kelly Connelly/KUAR News

File photo of Sen. Joyce Elliott, seen here filing to run for reelection. As she leaves office, Elliott is launching a new nonprofit group to register voters and engage current voters.