LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — After a months-long battle between the people of Arkansas and the state board election commission on the use of e-signatures, the board unanimously voted on Monday to ban the use of electronic signatures for elections.
"The rule just establishes a clear line. That's really the way we've been doing it for the last decade. and you know, we're trying to maintain consistency and uniformity across the state," said Chris Madison the State Board Election Commission Director.
The decision has already affected some groups like Get Loud Arkansas, who have used e-signatures since January.
"It is disappointing to see them just continue down this path of not embracing something that we know they could. It's unfortunate, but we're glad that people are still showing up and making their voices heard. We're not done. We're still fighting for this, it is not unexpected," said Kristen Foster, the Deputy Executive Director for Get Loud Arkansas.
Madison explained how the new rule gained a lot of what he calls notoriety after receiving over 200 written comments about it.
"If people want to address their legislators about e-signatures or online, they have a session coming up in 2025. They're welcome to go talk to them about it. Our board has just taken the position of, hey, we need everybody playing by the same rules," he described.
As for now, Madison said the board is simply following what the Constitution says on what government entities can use e-signatures.
"That's the office of drivers services, state revenue office, and all public assistance agencies, and all disability agencies, and those are the only ones," one board member said.
However, Foster, said this rule doesn't reflect what the people want.
"Our elections are supposed to be representative of the people of Arkansas. So that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to give access to people and make it easier, that should always be the goal, to keep our elections secure and accessible. and we can do both very clearly," Foster added.
Lawmakers are expected to sign off on the regulations later this month. If you need to register to vote, you can get an application at your county clerk's office as well as the DMV and many public libraries.
The deadline to register to vote is 30 days before an election.