Little Rock, Arkansas – A new bill making its way through the Arkansas legislature could change how petition canvassers operate by requiring them to warn signers that petition fraud is a criminal offense. Supporters say the measure will help prevent fraudulent activity, while opponents question how it will be enforced.
State Representative Kendon Underwood, co-sponsor of SB 207, presented the bill to lawmakers on Monday, emphasizing its role in promoting transparency and deterring misconduct. “It deters fraudulent activity and deceptive practices, promotes transparency, and because it lets everyone know the serious nature of signing a government document,” Underwood stated during the meeting.
Read also: Batesville woman celebrates $50,000 lottery win with instant game
While the bill received majority support in the House, not all lawmakers were convinced. Democratic Representative Tippi McCullough raised concerns about how violations would be identified and proven. “I want to understand what specific evidence will be needed to prove a canvasser failed to inform a signer about petition fraud being a crime?” she asked.
Despite these concerns, the House passed the bill with 67 votes in favor and 27 against. House Speaker Brian Evans defended the decision, saying the bill had been thoroughly discussed and vetted. “They’ve been thoroughly vetted. They’ve been debated, and most all questions have been answered but overall, I think coming into session most of everyone knew,” Evans said following the meeting.
Now, the bill heads back to a Senate committee for approval on an amendment added by the House. If finalized, the legislation could add a new layer of regulation to the petition process in Arkansas.
Meanwhile, two other bills related to petition requirements were expected to be discussed in the Senate on Monday but were delayed until Tuesday’s session. It remains to be seen how lawmakers will handle these additional measures and what impact they could have on future ballot initiatives in the state.
