Arkansas has a controversial history when it comes to voter registration. Additionally, it is no secret that when it comes to voter registration, Arkansas’ Secretary of State, John Thurston, prioritizes “security over convenience.” Arkansas is one of only seven states that do not have some form of online voter registration. Consequently, Arkansas ranks nearly last in voter turnout in the entire country.
In Arkansas, when going to change your address on your driver’s license, you have the option to change your address on your voter registration as well. Recently, due to a glitch at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), approximately 49,000 voters have been found to have incorrect addresses on their voter registration. The problem started from a “software error” within the DMV’s data management system. The error caused a mismatch between the addresses on voter registration records and the actual addresses of the voters. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration is now sending letters to all those who may have been affected by this glitch.
This is just one instance of Arkansas voter registration mishaps and mismanagement.
If you recall, earlier this year, the State Board of Election Commissioners issued an emergency rule that rejected e-signatures on voter registration forms in favor of “wet signatures.” After a federal lawsuit filed by Get Loud Arkansas, Vote.org, and others, a federal judge temporarily blocked the emergency rule and is allowing for e-signatures. That has now been appealed to the Eighth Circuit – just another example of AG Griffin wasting taxpayer money on lawsuits nobody actually wants.
It is a crucial pillar of our democracy that everyone has the right to vote. Arkansas has a long way to go to make voting easy, accessible, and fair. Make sure to check your voter registration and update it as soon as possible. The deadline to register to vote in time for the November election is October 7th. Check your voter registration here: Arkansas Secretary of State | VoterView (ar-nova.org)
