The Arkansas Board of Election Commission approved rules Wednesday related to the new photo voter ID law that takes effect in January. Beginning in 2014, the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office will issue photo identification to any voter that does not already have one. Supporters of the legislation say it will cut down on election fraud. Legislators opposed during the 2013 session argued the new law could have the effect of curbing the votes of the elderly and minorities.
Governor Mike Beebe (D) vetoed the legislation. It became state law after the Republican controlled House and Senate voted to override the veto.
At Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners considering issuing a rule related to information absentee voters will need.
However, since the rule is not already spelled out in the Voter ID law itself, the commission unanimously passed a motion to work in conjunction with Secretary of State Mark Martin (R) to draft a letter with the needed voter information.