The Republican Party of Arkansas said absentee voters who fail to submit required identification with their ballot should be given more time to submit ID, arguing in a filing to a state court that failing to do so would create a double standard compared to voters who cast a ballot in person. The Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners approved a rule change allowing voters who do not submit required identification with their absentee ballot to turn in the documents for their vote to be counted by noon Monday following an election. It mirrors an identical period given voters who fail to show ID when they seek to vote in person at the polls.
The Pulaski County Election Commission filed suit over the change, saying the state board overstepped its authority because such a provision was not included in the legislation creating new voter ID requirements. A judge previously granted the Republican Party’s request to defend the state board’s decision.
“In-person voters would have the opportunity to have their ballots counted if they can submit proper proof of their identification by the Monday following an election. Absentee voters would be denied this opportunity,” the Republican Party of Arkansas said in a motion filed on Friday that argued there would be a double standard.
Full Article: Arkansas GOP sees voter ID double standard – Washington Times.