Arkansas panel bans electronic signatures on voter registration forms

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas panel has prohibited election officials from accepting voter registration forms signed with an electronic signature, a move that critics say amounts to voter suppression.

The State Board of Election Commissions on Tuesday unanimously approved the emergency rule. The order and an accompanying order say Arkansas’ constitution only allows certain state agencies, and not elections officials, to accept electronic signatures, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. The rule is in effect for 120 days while the panel works on a permanent rule.

Under the emergency rule, voters will have to register by signing their name with a pen.

Chris Madison, the board’s director, said the change is needed to create “uniformity across the state.” Some county clerks have accepted electronic signatures and others have not.