LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas lawmakers on Thursday rejected an effort to allow voters this fall to cast an absentee ballot without an excuse because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Joint Budget Committee rejected the proposal, which would have waived state law that only allows absentee ballots due to illness, physical disability or the voter being unavoidably absent. The proposal would have waived the requirement through the end of this year.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson had waived the requirement for the state's primary runoff last month. Arkansas does not have a statewide election until the November general election.
Arkansas has had at least 1,077 coronavirus cases and 18 deaths. For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
Sen. Joyce Elliott, who proposed the absentee voting measure, cited the long lines and waits voters in Wisconsin faced this week.
"There's no need for that to happen here," said Elliott, a Democrat who's running against Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill in November for a congressional seat representing central Arkansas.