§ 7-5-403 - Designated bearers, authorized agents, and administrators. - Arkansas Statutes

7-5-403. Designated bearers, authorized agents, and administrators.

(a) (1) A designated bearer may obtain absentee ballots from the county clerk for not more than two (2) voters.

(2) At no time shall a designated bearer have more than two (2) absentee ballots in his or her possession.

(3) (A) A designated bearer receiving an absentee ballot from the county clerk for a voter shall deliver the absentee ballot directly to the voter.

(B) A designated bearer receiving an absentee ballot from a voter shall deliver the absentee ballot directly to the county clerk.

(4) (A) A designated bearer may deliver to the county clerk the absentee ballots for not more than two (2) voters.

(B) The designated bearer shall be named on the voter statement accompanying the absentee ballot.

(5) In order to obtain an absentee ballot from the county clerk:

(A) The designated bearer shall show a form of current photographic identification to the county clerk;

(B) The county clerk shall print the designated bearer's name and address beside the voter's name on a register; and

(C) The designated bearer shall sign the register under oath indicating receipt of the voter's absentee ballot.

(6) Upon delivering an absentee ballot to the county clerk:

(A) The designated bearer shall present current and valid photographic identification to the county clerk;

(B) The county clerk shall print the designated bearer's name and address beside the voter's name on a register; and

(C) The designated bearer shall sign the register under oath indicating delivery of the voter's absentee ballot.

(b) (1) An authorized agent may deliver applications for absentee ballots to the county clerk and obtain absentee ballots from the county clerk for not more than two (2) voters who cannot cast a ballot at the appropriate polling place on election day because the voter is a patient in a hospital or long-term care or residential care facility licensed by the state.

(2) At no time shall an authorized agent have more than two (2) absentee ballots in his or her possession.

(3) (A) An authorized agent receiving an absentee ballot from the county clerk for a voter shall deliver the absentee ballot directly to the voter.

(B) An authorized agent receiving an absentee ballot from a voter shall deliver the absentee ballot directly to the county clerk.

(4) (A) In order for an authorized agent to obtain a ballot from the county clerk, the authorized agent shall submit to the county clerk an affidavit from the administrative head of a hospital or long-term care or residential care facility licensed by the state that the applicant is a patient of the hospital or long-term care or residential care facility licensed by the state and is thereby unable to vote on the election day at his or her regular polling site.

(B) A copy of the affidavit shall be retained by the county clerk as an attachment to the application for an absentee ballot.

(5) In order to obtain an absentee ballot from the county clerk, the:

(A) Authorized agent shall present current photographic identification to the clerk;

(B) Clerk shall print the authorized agent's name and address beside the voter's name on a register; and

(C) Authorized agent shall sign the register under oath indicating receipt of the voter's ballot.

(6) Upon delivering an absentee ballot to the county clerk, the:

(A) Authorized agent shall show some form of current photographic identification to the clerk;

(B) Clerk shall print the authorized agent's name and address beside the voter's name on a register; and

(C) Authorized agent shall sign the register under oath indicating delivery of the voter's ballot.

(c) (1) The county clerk shall keep a register of designated bearers and authorized agents.

(2) The designated bearer and authorized agent register shall contain the following oath on each page: "IF YOU PROVIDE FALSE INFORMATION ON THIS FORM, YOU MAY BE GUILTY OF PERJURY AND SUBJECT TO A FINE OF UP TO TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000) OR IMPRISONMENT FOR UP TO TEN (10) YEARS, OR BOTH, UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS."

(d) (1) An administrator may deliver to the county clerk an application for an absentee ballot for any voter who is a patient of a long-term care or residential care facility licensed by the state and who names the administrator on his or her application as the administrator of the facility where the voter resides.

(2) An administrator may receive absentee ballots for as many qualified residents of the facility as apply for absentee ballots upon presentation of photographic identification to the county clerk.

(3) (A) An administrator may deliver the absentee ballot to the county clerk for any voter who names the administrator on his or her application and voter statement.

(B) Absentee ballots may be delivered to the county clerk in person by the administrator or by mail.

(4) An administrator shall submit to the county clerk an affidavit, signed and dated by the administrator, stating:

(A) That he or she is the administrative head of a long-term care or residential care facility licensed by the state;

(B) The name and address of the facility; and

(C) That he or she has been authorized by the voters of his or her facility who named him or her in their applications for absentee ballot and voter statement to deliver their absentee ballots.

(e) Any person who knowingly makes a false statement on an affidavit required by this section shall be guilty of perjury and subject to a fine of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisonment of up to ten (10) years.