Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Arkansas's absentee ballot rules

A federal judge in Fort Smith dismissed a lawsuit today by the League of Women Voters that sought to compel the state to give mail-in voters in Arkansas a post-election “cure period” to fix minor errors on a form that must be submitted along with their ballot.

Federal data shows Arkansas consistently throws out mail-in ballots at a higher rate than almost any other state, including its neighbors. Poll workers are required to compare a signature and other information on a voter statement form with the voter’s ballot application. Voting advocates say even a small discrepancy, such as a nickname or a shaky signature, can result in a ballot being thrown out by county election commissioners taking an overly aggressive approach.

The League of Women Voters and several plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in 2020, arguing the lack of a cure period violates due process and voting rights under federal law. But after three years of legal filings (and a changing roster of plaintiffs), U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes today ruled for the defendants, Secretary of State John Thurston and members of the State Board of Election Commissioners.

Holmes granted summary judgement, meaning he made his ruling without having to hold a trial.

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https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/09/29/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-challenging-arkansass-absentee-ballot-rules

Comment: Why a person in Arkansas should never vote absentee or mail-in ballot.