Senate debate on SB 250 centers on hand‑count safeguards and a 24‑hour reporting window

Sen. Kim Hammer (District 16) introduced Senate Bill 250 as a measure to set uniform safeguards for counties that choose to hand count paper ballots. He said the bill preserves counties’ ability to use hand counts while requiring procedures — including use of tabulators to produce timely preliminary results, compliance with federal and state law (including the Americans with Disabilities Act), and an audit process.

‘‘This bill is not in response to any lawsuit… it sets uniform safeguards for all counties that choose to hand count paper ballots,’’ Hammer said, emphasizing timely results and auditability.

Senator Peyton questioned language that requires a paper ballot to be ‘‘compatible with the electronic vote tabulation device that the state has assigned,’’ arguing it could effectively require counties to use the specific state‑assigned device rather than preserving broader county choice. Peyton also pressed for clarity about the bill’s 24‑hour requirement: he asked what would happen ‘‘or else’’ if preliminary results were not posted within 24 hours.

Leslie Bellamy, director of elections for the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office, said the bill does not take away county rights and noted some counties already use a bifurcated system. She explained the secretary’s authority to select a certified system with a particular preprinted ballot stock and that many counties already have printers compatible with the equipment. Bellamy said the 24‑hour requirement is intended to ensure preliminary results are available in a timely fashion and that noncompliance could prompt an investigation by the state board of elections.

Committee members, including Senators Dodson and Peyton, said they were uncomfortable with removing language such as ‘‘as soon as’’ and ‘‘immediately after’’ from existing text; Hammer offered to draft an amendment restoring wording to provide members greater comfort with the timing and release of early and absentee results.

Bellamy confirmed the intent is that ballots run through tabulators first to yield preliminary DS200 results, with hand counts permitted afterward for verification and certification. The committee did not finalize passage of SB 250 during the recorded session and agreed to consider drafting adjustments that would clarify timing and county discretion.