Arkansas
State board approves rule barring use of electronic signatures on voter registration forms, sends it to legislative subcommittee | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
The State Board of Election Commissioners approved a rule Monday that bars election officials from accepting voter registration forms signed with an electronic signature.
The rule was approved without any audible opposition from the seven-member board and will next go before the Arkansas Legislative Council’s Administrative Rules subcommittee Aug. 22.
Under the rule, voters would have to sign registration forms with a pen, also known as a “wet signature.”
Opponents of the measure have criticized it as undemocratic, arguing it would hinder Arkansans’ ability to vote. In June, nonprofit organization Get Loud Arkansas filed a lawsuit against the state in federal court, saying the ban on electronic signatures on voter registration forms violates portions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The organization filed an injunction Thursday in the case seeking to bar the election officials from enforcing an emergency version of the rule that is already in place and is set to expire Sept. 1.
Chris Madison, director of the State Board of Election Commissioners, has said the rule is meant to provide clarity to Arkansas’ 75 county clerks to help them to follow a single policy. In previous elections, some county clerks have accepted electronically signed voter registration applications while others have not, he said. According to Madison, Amendment 51 of the Constitution, which established the state’s voter registration system, allows only certain state agencies — the Office of Driver Services and public assistance and state-funded disability programs — to accept electronic signatures.
Monday’s vote follows a 30-day public comment period that began June 14 and ended Sunday. The board was required to receive public comment as part of the process to make permanent an emergency version of the rule, which was approved by lawmakers in early May.
In a packed conference room during Thursday’s public hearing, the 16 speakers who commented on the proposed voter rule all spoke against the measure. The state Board of Election Commissioners said in a memo dated Monday to Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston that the body received more than 200 written comments on the measure, although an accompanying table summarizing the feedback lists only 194 comments. Of those, 186 were against the rule, while eight wrote in its favor.
The memo includes responses to several recurring arguments made in the comments, which were separated into five categories: in favor of online-voter registration systems; wet signature is outdated; e-signature is allowed by law; low voter registration and turn-out rates; and “other.” The last category includes access to voter registration for voters with disabilities; access to printing facilities or postal services; confusion for officials; and that the rule is disenfranchising voters.
Many commenters who expressed favor of online-voter registration systems said that 42 other states permit online registration.
Members of the public who said electronic signatures are allowed by law also argued that, if electronic signatures are allowed on important individual transactions — such as taxes and contracts — they should be permissible when registering to vote. The board said in its response that the secretary of state’s office does not have the authority to create an online registration system and that, while bills proposed during the 2021 and 2023 legislative sessions would have given the authority to do so, both failed before they could become law.
With regard to opponents’ claims the rule would disenfranchise voters, the board reiterated its statement that current law doesn’t allow for the creation of an online voter registration process, and “a third-party organization operating outside the governmental system cannot circumvent the law to create its own online voter registration system.”
INJUNCTION MOTION
Get Loud Arkansas, along with other plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Secretary of State John Thurston and members of the State Board of Election Commissioners, filed a motion for a preliminary injunction Thursday to prevent the defendants from enforcing the emergency rule requiring wet signatures. The group also seeks to block the state from enforcing “any requirement” that similarly demands voter registration applications be signed with a wet signature. As in their initial complaint, plaintiffs state the requirement violates portions of the Civil Rights Act.
In addition to Get Loud Arkansas, plaintiffs include Vote.org, a group seeking to increase voter registration nationwide, and two Arkansans who had their registration rejected under the emergency rule scrutinizing signatures: Nikki Pastor and Blake Loper.
A 34-page brief filed in support of the injunction makes four primary arguments against the wet signature requirement. The brief states the Civil Rights Act of 1964 “prohibits state officials from rejecting voter registration applications for errors that are immaterial in determining a person’s qualifications to vote,” that “plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claim that the wet signature rule violates the materiality provision of the Civil Rights Act, that “(a)bsent relief, Plaintiffs will face continued and ongoing irreparable harm because of the wet signature rule” and that “the remaining equitable factors strongly favor granting a preliminary injunction.”
The emergency rule came after Get Loud Arkansas helped register voters with electronic signatures. Volunteers with the group created an online tool that allows Arkansans to fill out a voter registration application online and sign electronically, according to the complaint filed in the lawsuit. The volunteers would then print the finished forms with the registrant’s permission and submit them to county clerks.
In a letter sent to county clerks in February, however, Secretary of State John Thurston advised against the use of electronic signatures, saying, “I strongly recommend that counties do not accept voter registration applications executed by electronic signature.” The lawsuit alleges that Thurston’s letter came in direct response to a Feb. 26 Arkansas Times article about the success of the group’s voter registration drive.
The lawsuit is ongoing.
Speaking after Monday’s board meeting, Madison defended the emergency rule and the proposed permanent version, citing its use in confirming the identity of a purported voter. He cited a case in south Arkansas in which a man forged roughly 140 absentee ballot applications, voter registration forms and other statements for the 2022 primary election.
“When he got caught, it was the signatures,” Madison said.
BENTON, Ark. (KATV) — Saline County residents got a fresh boost earlier today when the Central Arkansas Development Council hosted its third Fresh Market event in the county, handing out about 300 bags of fresh produce free of charge.
The council, described as the largest community action agency in Arkansas, said the event is part of its ongoing effort to address food insecurity in the state and expand access to healthy food options.
“What we’re here to do is we’re here to be what our community needs us to be,” Randy Morris, CEO of Central Arkansas Development Council, said. “We are here to serve our mission, which is to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty, to help vulnerable populations achieve their potential and to build strong communities in Arkansas through community action.”
The council also said it was rewarded funds by the government to host an emergency food drive that will happen soon.
FAYETTEVILL – In a thrilling contest that featured 5.1 impressive innings in the circle from sophomore Payton Burnham and a go-ahead two-run home run from Tianna Bell, the No. 6/8 Arkansas Razorbacks defeated No. 1 Oklahoma, 3-2, on Saturday night at Love’s Field to even the series and set up a winner-take-all series finale on Sunday.
Win the win, Arkansas recorded its third victory in program history over a consensus No. 1-ranked opponent, having previously defeated UCLA (Feb. 18, 2011) and Cal (May 19, 2012).
It also marked the Razorbacks’ third win in program history over a No. 1 opponent in the ESPN/USA Softball Poll and the fifth over a top-ranked team in the NFCA Coaches Poll.
Arkansas (36-7, 11-6 SEC) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning courtesy of an RBI double down the right-field line from Kennedy Miller. The Sooners then tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the fifth inning, with a solo home run from Sydney Emerling.
Tianna Bell put the Hogs ahead for good by blasting a two-run homer into the left-center field bleachers in the top of the fifth inning. Oklahoma’s Kendall Wells accounted for the final run of the contest with a solo shot to left field, bringing the score to 3-2.
The Razorbacks’ pitching staff did not allow a walk in the win. Payton Burnham was phenomenal in the circle during her 10th victory of the season, striking out three while allowing two runs on four hits in 5.1 innings of work.
Robyn Herron earned her fourth save of the season by retiring the final five Oklahoma batters in the contest.
In addition to Bell’s two-run blast and Miller’s RBI double, Reagan Johnson and Kailey Wyckoff singled in the victory.
Sydney Berzon fell to 5-2 on the season for Oklahoma (41-6, 14-3 SEC) after allowing two runs on two hits with one strikeout in her 4.2 innings pitched.
QUOTABLES
Arkansas Head Coach Courtney Deifel
On the victory…
“Any win right now is a big one for the program. It was really great in this environment just to see our team stay the course and trust themselves. It is a hostile environment that is very loud. They have a lot of energy. For our team to just lean into each other and find a way to get the win was big. Any win is really big, so it just feels really awesome.”
On Payton Burnham’s performance…
“She was in her element. She loves the big moment. She wants the ball, and she was locked in today. She was dialed, and I am really proud of her.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Payton Burnham earned her 12th start of the season in the circle for Arkansas, while Oklahoma gave the ball to Miali Guachino.
In the top of the first inning, Guachino retired the Hogs in order courtesy of a pair of groundouts and a lineout. Burnham spun a 1-2-3 bottom of the first courtesy of a groundout, strikeout, and a groundout.
Kailey Wyckoff recorded the first hit of the contest with a two-out single up the middle in the top of the second inning. She would later come around to score a batter later on an RBI double down the right-field line from Kennedy Miller, giving the Hogs a 1-0 lead.
Cam Harrison followed Miller’s double with a walk, but OU would escape without further damage courtesy of OU right fielder Ella Parker taking an extra-base hit away from Karlie Davison with a catch at the wall in right field.
Burnham spun another scoreless frame in the home half of the second inning, highlighted by a 6-4 double play from shortstop Atalyia Rijo, who snagged a line drive and threw to Davison at second base to double off the Sooners’ Gabbie Garcia, who reached on a leadoff single.
Brinli Bain drew a one-out walk in the top of the third inning, prompting Oklahoma to make a pitching change and bring in LSU transfer Sydney Berzon.
Wyckoff made an incredible catch with a leaping grab at the wall in left field for the first out of the bottom of the third. She would then catch a pair of fly balls as Burnham completed a 1-2-3 frame.
Berzon retired the Hogs in order during the top of the fourth inning. Burnham recorded a 1-2-3 bottom of the fourth inning while picking up her second and third strikeouts of the night.
Reagan Johnson reached courtesy of a two-out infield single in the top of the fifth inning. Oklahoma first baseman Isabella Imerling tied the game with a leadoff solo home run to left-center field in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Following the home run, Reagan Johnson made a diving catch in right-center field to take away an extra-base hit from Pickering.
Ella McDowell was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the sixth inning. Tianna Bell then gave Arkansas a 3-1 lead with a two-run shot into the left-center field bleachers, her 14th of the season, tying Dakota Kennedy for the team-lead.
Oklahoma made it a one-run ballgame with a one-out solo home run off the bat of freshman Kendall Wells. Following the home run, Robyn Herron entered the circle and would retire the next two batters faced by way of a strikeout and a lineout.
Berzon retired the Hogs in order in the top of the seventh inning. Herron trotted out to the circle looking to complete the save in the bottom of the seventh.
Herron fanned Imerling for the first out of the frame before issuing a lineout to Johnson in center field for the second out.
She then got Aliana Agbayani to ground out to Karlie Davison at second for the final out of the win as Arkansas evened the series and improved to 36-7 overall and 11-6 in SEC play.
NOTABLES
- Reagan Johnson registered her 205th start batting leadoff, which tied the career program record set by Devon Wallace, 205 (2012-2015).
- Payton Burnham improved to 10-3 this season after striking out three and allowing just two runs on four hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. Arkansas is now 22-6 when a starting pitcher goes 5+ innings without allowing a walk.
- Tianna Bell blasted her 46th career home run and 14th home run this season with a two-run shot in the top of the sixth inning. Bell is now tied for the team lead in home runs alongside Dakota Kennedy.
- Kyler Del Duca recorded her first collegiate start, batting eighth and playing left field.
- Arkansas had five different outfielders in the victory (Reagan Johnson CF, Kailey Wyckoff RF/LF, Ramsey Walker LF/RF, Kyler Del Duca LF, Brinli Bain RF)
- Kennedy Miller increased her career-high reached base streak to 11 games.
- Arkansas is 148-41 since 2001, when its pitching staff issues no walks in a game. The Razorbacks are 94-18 when issuing no walks under head coach Courtney Deifel (2016-present). Arkansas has won 21 of its last 22 when issuing zero walks dating back to April 6, 2023.
- Arkansas snapped Oklahoma’s 31-game home winning streak, which was the longest active winning streak in the nation entering the contest.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — A big change is rolling in for one of central Arkansas’ most recognizable nonprofits serving the unhoused community.
Aaron Reddin is stepping down as executive director of The Van, effective immediately. The organization has been a critical presence in the region, providing food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies and emergency shelter for people in need, particularly in North Little Rock.
Reddin said he’s leaving day-to-day leadership because of ongoing personal health challenges. “I was diagnosed with CRPS in 22,” Reddin said, referring to complex regional pain syndrome, a condition that can cause severe, persistent pain. He said that “in early 24 I was in a accident that caused the spread of the disease into my upper body,” and that it has “greatly impacted my ability to be present.”
“I’m in weekly treatments and medications and things like that, that caused my absence,” Reddin said. “And you know, even though I may be slowed down, the organization is not and so that’s an unsustainable imbalance, and at some point it has to be acknowledged.”
While he’s stepping away from daily leadership, Reddin will remain involved with The Van as a board member.
Parker Reid has been selected to take over as executive director. Reid said he’s ready to get started and build on what’s already in place.
“I am most excited, I think, just to really hit the ground running,” Reid said. He said he and Reddin have talked about the organization’s infrastructure and what they want it to look like going forward, with a focus on “really just refining what we what we have going on already, and really expanding our volunteer involvement.”
Reddin reflected on how much the organization has grown during his time leading it. “We’ve grown,” he said. “You know, I’ve always thought that we’ve hit a plateau, and then there’s, it just keeps going.”
He also emphasized how The Van is funded. “We’re 99.9% private donor funded. We don’t touch your tax dollars,” Reddin said. “So this is all people helping people from from the bank account to the streets. It’s people powered.”
Asked about a proud moment, Reddin pointed to a recent opportunity to share The Van’s work with a much bigger audience. “I got the chance this past winter to talk about our work here in Little Rock on CNN International live,” he said, adding that the network gave him “like, 13 total minutes, two different days.”
Reddin said he valued being able to spotlight Little Rock as a community that looks out for its neighbors. He said he was able to show people that “we care about each other, we care about our neighbors, regardless of you know what those unconventional sleeping circumstances may look like at the time.”
The Van has also raised money to find and build a shelter for the unhoused, and Reddin said the organization’s emergency shelter work started even before the first van was in service. He said having a more permanent setup will be a major step forward, rather than moving supplies in and out during each weather event.
As Reid steps into the role, he said he’s mindful of what the organization means to Reddin and to the community. He hopes to “take care of of his baby,” he said, because “it means a lot to him, and it means a lot to me to have watched him, you know, grow it for as long as I’ve gotten to watch.”
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