Committee backs bill to require in-person absentee returns to county clerk's office by Friday before election

Senator Hammer presented HB1803 to set a firm deadline and location for in-person absentee-ballot returns: ballots returned in person or by a designated bearer must be delivered to the county clerks physical office no later than the clerks regular closing time on the Friday before election day. The provision does not apply to ballots returned by mail (which would still be accepted through election night) or to medically required agent returns.

Sponsor and witnesses framed the change as a measure to eliminate unattended drop boxes and unsupervised collection points used elsewhere, and to reduce multiple handling of ballots. County election officials including Jennifer Price and Kim Dennison supported parts of the bill but sought clarifications: they asked whether the language would bar drive-through or parking-lot ballot returns county clerks had used in 2020 and pointed out potential logistical problems when ballot requests are made close to the request deadline.

Lindsay French (Association of Arkansas Counties) clarified that if a voter requests a ballot on Tuesday and mail is slow, the ballot can still be returned by mail through election day. After discussion and public testimony, including a League of Women Voters commenter who described controlled drop-site procedures, the committee voted the bill out by voice vote.